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History of Floyd County, Iowa
Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago,
.), W. P. Gaylord, Inter-State Publishing Co., Chicago
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CHAPTER XII.
EDUCATIONAL.
: Probably no county in the West has paid 'n^ore attention to the
education of children and* youth than that of Floyd, and pi*obably
no newspaper in the State of Iowa has taken a deeper interest in
educational matters than the Charles City IrUeUigencer. Mr. Hil-
dreth, for the first fourteen years of its existence its editor, was
for six years also a member of the State Board of Education, a
body having legislative powers, and existing from 1868 to 1864.
We are obliged to notice here some of the prominent measures in-
troduced in that Legislature by this worthy representative of Floyd
County, which were adopted and which remain on the statute books
to-day.
In December, 1868, a bill was introduced before the State Board
'*for the government and regulation of the State University of
Iowa." On the 23d, Mr Hildreth oflfered the following amend-
ment to give equal advantage to either sex:
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Board of Education of the State of
Iowa, that the object of the State University of Iowa, established
by the Constitution at Iowa City, shall be to provide the best and
most efficient means of imparting to the youth of the State, of both
sexes, a thorough education, and a perfect knowledge of the dif*^
ferent branches of literature, the arts and sciences, with their va-
rions applications.
Mr. Hildreth is also the author of the following law: '^ That the
Bible shall not be excluded from any school or institution in this
State, under control of the board; nor shall any pupil be required
to read it contrary to the wishes of his parent or guardian."
The establishment of the State Board of Education was an effort
toward eliminating partisan politics from the educational interests
of the State; but as it failed of this object, and as two co-ordinate
legislatures within one commonwealth were liable to conflict, it waa
desirable to abolish the educational body as a needless expense.
Accordingly, in 1864, Mr. Hildreth introduced a bill in the Gen-
eral Assembly '^ to abolish the State Board of Education, and ta
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678 HI8T0RT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
provide for the election of a saperintendeat of pablicinstrnciion.''
The bill was passed in the House by seventj-niae yeas to seven
nays.
Previous to 1864 the schoDl fund was loaned by the county su-
pervisors, who took real-estate securities, called " school-fund mort-
gages." The stringency of the times caused by the panic of 1858,
and the succeeding war of the great Rebellion, occasioned the debt-
ors, and consequently the Board of Supervisors, to be considerably
behindhand with the collection and proper disbursement of these
school moneys, the law all the while remaining that these moneys
should be kept intact. In many counties of the State the arrear-
ages were considerable. In this stage of affairs, Mr. Hildreth, in
the General Assembly of 1864, introduced '^ a bill for an act to
provide for the loan of the permanent school iiind, and fixing the
rate of interest thereon, and limiting the price at which school
lands may be sold, and for other purposes." This bill required the
supervisors to collect these moneys loaned, by foreclosing the mort-
gages, if necessary. When the subject came up for discussion,
Charles Faulk, of Allamakee Oounty, led off in opposition to the
bill. The fact was, from $12,000 to $20,000 were loaned out in
his oounty, a large portion of which was a dead loss. Other mem-
bers of the House then followed Faulk in the opposition, and, on a
vote, refused to pass the bill. The fact was developed that more
than half the members of the Assembly were debtors to the school
fund. They passed a substitute, in regard to the rate of interest.
Mr. Hildreth followed this substitute into the Senate, and had three
of the most important sections of his bill incorporated in it as it
passed that body. Being chairman of the standing committee on
schools and the State University, Mr. H. let the matter lie quiet
until near the close of the session, waiting for a favorable oppor-
tunity to call it up in the House. Accordingly one evening, when
the members felt humorous and got parliamentary matters into
some confusion, Mr. Hildreth hinted the matter to the Speaker,
who was favorable to the bill and who promised to aid in its pas-
sage; and in due time the bill was called up, when, without debate
and scarcely any one knowing what he was voting on, the bill was
passed, by sixty-eight yeas to four nays!
Mr. Hildreth was also instrumental in getting Webster's Una-
bridged Dictionary supplied to all the schools of the State by law.
Many other men, and some women, have also been prominently
identified with the progress and advancement of public schools.
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HISTOBT OP FLOYD OOUMTT. 579
and their names appear mostly in the respective township and city
tiistories.
The County Superintendents of Floyd County, as near as can be
ascertained, have been as follows:
J. C. Whitney, four years; Hervey Wilbur, two years; Horace
Stearns, two years; H. O. Pratt, two years; J. W. Merrill, two
years; Mrs. Helen R. Duncan, four years; G. H. Nichols, four
years; H. H. Davidson, the present incumbent.
SCHOOL PEOGBKSS IN FLOYD COUNTY.
The winter of 1858 a new school law was passed, providing a
complete system of free public schools from the primary all the way
up to, and including, the State Uuiversity and which was wholly
substituted for the old system. To reap its advantages required
considerable special study; and of course many stumbled under
it before they could walk perfectly. This law was expounded
by school officers and educators, until the machinery got to moving
well throughout the country. Meetings were held of township
school presidents, where they instructed one another. One such
meeting was held in Cheney & Brackett's Hall, Charles City, Oct.
6, 1858.
Like all the West, the first schools of Floyd County were of
course small, and were kept in log school-houses, poorly furnished.
The first school in the county was taught at Nora Springs in 1854,
the second was opened at Charles City, the third at Floyd, and so '
on. Twelve years from that time the number of schools was fifty-
four; children of school age — males 1,305, females 1,132; number
attending schools, 1,786; number of teachers — males seventeen,
females eighty-one; average compensation of teachers — males $6.-
88, females $5.11, per week; aggregate amount paid teachers for
the year, $8,415.70; number of school-houses, forty-two, of which
twenty-three were frame, nine stone, nine log and one brick; total
value of school-houses, $28,516; amount appropriated for building
and furnishing school-houses the last school year, $10,737.48; value
of school-houses in the several townships, as follows: Cedar, $200;
Floyd, $750; Niles,$l,400; Riverton,$ 1,930; Rock Grove, $3,426;
Rockford, $1,281; Scott, $400; Union, $2,550; Ulster, $980; St.
Charles, $15,100; Floyd, independent, $500.
In September, 1875, there were 100 school-houses in Floyd
County, 118 teachers, 102 schools and 4,917 children entitled to
the public fund. The school -houses were thus distributed: St
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680 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY*
Charles sixteen, Flojd eight, Ulster seven, Rockford eight, Union
ten, Pleasant Grove eight. Rock Grove eight, Scott six, Niles eighty
Riverton ten, Radd five, and Oedar six. Number of graded schools,
five, — one each at Charles City, Floyd, Nora Springs, Rockford,
and Marble Rock, — the five villages of the coanty. At these
schools were taoght all the branches preliminary to a collegiate
education.
SCHOOL STATISTICS OF 1880.
The number of districts in Floyd County 11
The number of independent districts in Floyd County 14
The number of sub-districts in Floyd County 9T
The number of ungraded schools in Floyd County 106
The number of rooms in graded schools in Floyd County 28
Average duration of schools in months 7. 9
Numt^r of male teachers engaged * 48
Number of female teachers engaged 162
Average monthly compensation of males $31 89*
Average monthly compensation of females. 24 65
Number of male pupils between the ages of five and
twenty-one years 2,644
Average of female pupils between the ages of five and
twenty-one years 2,488
Average of pupils enrolled in public schools 4,336-
Total average attendance 2,487
Average cost of tuition per month per pupil 1 49
Number of school-houses, frame 102
Number of school- houses, brick 3
Number of school- houses, stone 10-
Number of school-houses, log 10
Total valuation of school-houses $ 106 310^
Value of apparatus. . • • 1 666
Number of volumes in libraries 50
SCHOOL-HOUSE FUND.
DEBIT.
On hand at last report $ ^6 04
Received from district tax 2 045 97
Received from other sources 1 609 30
Total debit and credit 4 181 31
CBBDrr.
Paid for school-houses and sites $2 194 66
Paid for libraries and apparatus 60 00
Paid for bonds and interest 424 46
Paid for other purposes 1 018 87
On hand 498 42:
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT. 681
BXAKINATIOK.
MALES. FSMALIS.
Professional certificates 8 2
First grade 5 35
Second grade 22 154
Third grade
Total number issued 30 191
OF TEAOHBBS.
1CALB8. FSMALBS.
Applicants rejected
Applicants examined 30 191
Certificates revoked
Average of applicants 23 0 23 0
No experience in teaching
Taught less than one year
Holding State certificates
VISITATION OF SCHOOLS, APPEALS, ETC.
Schools visited by county superintendent 70
Visits made during the year 70
Educational meetings held 22
CONTINGENT FUND.
DEBIT.
On hand at last report I 5,148 32
Received from district tax 9,644 40
Received from other sources 638 10
Total debit $15,430 82
OBEDrr.
Paid for rent and repairs of school-houses $ 3,303 91
Paid for fuel 3,498 11
Paid secretaries and treasurers 662 80
Paid for records, dictionaries and apparatus 150 42
Paid for insurance and janitors 831 88
Paid for supplies, brooms, chalk, etc 1,111 91
Paid for other purposes 1,093 95
On hand 4,777 84
S6
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682 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
TBAOHEBS^ FUND.
DBBIT.
On hand at last report $15,527 93
Eeceived from difitrict tax 21,014 89
Beceived from semi-annual apportionment 6,763 19
Received from other sources 559 06
Total debit $42,861 07
CBEDrr.
Paid teachers since last report $29,291 23
Paid for other purposes 233 88
On hand 13,335 95
Oases decided by the county superintendent None
Compensation for official services from Oct 1, 1880, to
Oct. 1, 1881, of county superintendent 929 00
Number of private schools 1
Teachers employed in private schools 1
Pupils in attendance in private schools 52
TEAOHEBS' NORMAL INSTFrUTE.
The Teachers' Normal Institute, for Floyd County, holden at
Charles City each August, commenced August 15, and continued
three weeks. There were 30 males and 134 females, making a
total attendance of 164.
THE FINANCIAL CONDITION.
BBCEIPT8.
On hand at last report $340 11
Examination fees 221 00
Registration fees 164 00
State appropriation 50 00
Sundries
Total receipts $775 11
EXFENDITUBSS .
Instruction $460 00
Incidentals 89 20
Unexpended 225 91
Total expenditures $775 11
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 683
The teachers and lecturers were :
J. C. Tocum, Conductor ; Instructors, H. H. Davidson, Hoss-
feld, Miss M. C. Dixon, Miss Harbin, Miss £. Knapp ; lecturers,
C. W. von Coelln, S. P. Heland, J. Piper.
The graded schools of the county are in the following towns, all
of a nine months' session :
Charles City has one male teacher and thirteen female teachers;
Floyd, one female teacher; Marble Bock, one male, three female
teachers; Nora Springs, two female teachers; Rockford, one male,
two female teachers; Eudd, one female teacher.
During the latter part of the winter of 1869-'60, an educational
convention was called to meet in St. Charles City, February 4,
to examine and discuss the new school law just adopted by the
State Board of Education, to organize a county teachers' society, to
memorialize the General Assembly for an appropriation of money
for the support of teachers' institutes, and to awaken a greater in-
terest in educational matters generally. The call was signed by
Hervey Wilbur, Floyd ; Isaac Teeple, Union ; J. C. Whitney,
Rockford ; A. W. French, St. Charles ; Fayette Richmond, Cedar;
J. Henry Eaton, Cedar ; John H. Aylsworth, L. T. Patterson
and Charles Wheat; St. Charles.
At the appointed time a good number were in attendance and
exhibited a high degree of enthusiasm. The meeting was called
to order by Mr. French, and A. B. F. Hildreth was elected Chair-
man, and Mr. French, Secretary. A committee of three, appointed
for the purpose, reported subjects for discussion and action; name-
ly, the formation of a teachers' association or an educational society,
teachers' institutes, and union or graded schools. The result of
their deliberations was the organization of the "Floyd County
Educational Society," to admit all other friends of education as
well as teachers. A preamble and constitution were adopted, and
the following officers were elected : A. B. F. Hildreth, President;
Maxwell Ireland, Vice-President ; Asa W. French, Secretary ;
Hervey Wilbur, Treasurer ; and Messrs. Wilbur, French and J. C.
Whitney, Business Committee.
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584 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
On motion of Mr. Wilbur, the following resolution was adopted:
" That a petition to the General Assembly be forwarded to our
Representative, Hon. E. G. Bowdoin, asking an appropriation ot
monej to be made which will enable the teachers of this county to
hold an institute some time during next summer or fall." Mr.
Hildreth was appointed the committee to draft and report a form
of petition, which duty he performed.
On motion of Mr. Aylsworth, a resolution was adopted request-
ing the county superintendent to give at least one lecture in each
township on the subject of common schools and also an explanation
of the new school law, as soon as he should find it convenient after
the law had been acted upon by the General Assembly.
A resolution was also adopted heartily indorsing the late amend-
ment made by the State Board to the school law.
Among those who took part in the discussions w6re Dr. Oort-
right, of Rockford, B. F. Cheney and Messrs. Hildreth, Wilbur,
Alysworth and Ireland.
Adjourned to meet Feb. 25, following.
The next meeting, however, did not take place until April 5, at
Floyd, where it was called to order by the secretary, and Rev.
Thomas Thompson was chosen Chairman, pro tern. Resolutions
were discussed and adopted, recommending the Iowa School Jour-
nal^ urging uniformity in the text-books as recommended by the
State Board, and insisting that the township boards establish
graded or union schools in all sub-districts where the situation
and number of scholars would justify it. An animated discussion
took place upon the last resolution, in which Messrs. Aylsworth,
Wilbur, Teeple, Raymond, French, Thompson and Cook partici-
pated, although the resolution was at the last unanimously adopted.
Mr. Wilbur stated that the position he occupied in relation to
educational matters had been changed since the last meeting, he
having been appointed County Superintendent of Schools, and that
though the law limited his duties to the ofiice, he proposed to make at
least one visit in each township. In conclusion, Mr. W. moved
that as the ladies had not assisted in speaking, they be requested to
sing. The ladies responded, with the assistance of Mr. Bissell, by
singing *' Unity," whereupon the meeting adjourned.
May 8, following, Mr. Wilbur, by notice in the Intelligencer^
called for correspondence from teachers desiring to attend an insti-
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HISTORY OF FLOYD OOITNTY. 585
tate, eajing that if not jviore than thirty desired it they had better
join Mitchell County in the undertaking, and giving notice that
the State would bear the expense of normal instruction at the insti-
tute. He also interpreted the new law as requiring the sub-dib^.
to meet the first Monday in May, instead of the second Monday in
July as before, to levy a tax for school-house purposes. In the
Intelligencr of June 14, this indefatigable school superintend-
ent kept the blaze increasing by publishing a list of the teachers in
the county, with the hope that they would all attend an institute in
this county, and announcing that the session would continue six
days, the teachers themselves to select their instructors and the
place and time of holding the institute. By the 27th of August
the Superintendent was enabled to announce that a sufScient number
of teachers had promised to attend, and that the institute would be
held at Floyd, the first week of October, Mitchell County teachers
to join,
Monday, Oct. 1, arrived; the Floyd County Teachers' Insti-
tute commenced its first session at Floyd according to arrange-
ment. It was called to order by the county superintendent, and
J. H. Aylsworth was made President jE>ro tern. Permanent officers
were elected, as follows: Hervey Wilbur, President; J. C. Whitney
and J. H. Aylsworth, Secretaries; J. H. Aylsworth, S. P. Bissell
and J. C. Whitney, Financial Committee; J. D. Rust, Chaplain.
Instruction was given during the week by Mr. Wilbur, on Edu-
cation and its Influences; by AsaW. French, on the Qualifications,
Difficulties and Influence of Teachers; by John G. Patterson, on
the General Duties of Teachers; by Prof. Wm. Brush, of Upper
Iowa University, on the True Teachers; by Hon. Oran Faville, on
the Study of the Languages; by Rev. Mr. Paxton, of Osage, on the
Origin and Destiny of the English Language. A splendid
poem, on The Teacher's Mission, was composed and read by J.
Cheston Whitney, of Rockford, and subsequently printed in the
Intelligencer.
At this institute there were sixty-one persons in attendance,
thirty-eight ladies and twenty-three gentlemen, — and the session
was exceedingly interesting and profitable.
A successful teachers' institute was held at Charles City, com-
mencing Sept. 30, 1861, and continuing a week; thirty ladies and
twenty-eight gentlemen were in attendance. Instructors: Dr. J. L.
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586 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Enos, of Oedar Rapids, and Hervey Wilbur, of Floyd; Lecturers: Dr.
EnoB, Rev. J. E. McClelland, Hon. E. G. Bowdine, of Rockford;
and James Jackson, of Charles City. The last named delivered a
lecture on Architecture. J. Cheston Whitney, County Superin-
tendent, and President of the Institute.
March 17, to April 7, 1862, a " normal school " was successfully
conducted at Charles City, by J. C. Whitney. Fifty were in at-
tendance, and much interest was manifested, notwithstanding the
war. Mr. Whitney was an efficient institute leader, as was also
Mr. Wilbur. The former left this county in 1865, to edit a paper
at Hampton, Franklin County, and the latter is still a resident in
Floyd. In 1863 another successful institute was held in the county,
and indeed every year to the present time. Sometimes they were
held at one village, sometimes at another. In 1866 one was held
in Charles City, Oct. 15 to 20, inclusive, conducted by Hon. G. J.
Tisdale, of Chickasaw County. Over fifty pupils, all young ladies
except four or five, were in attendance. Horace Stearns, the
County Superintendent, did much to render the session an interest-
ing and profitable one. Oct. 27, 1870, the teachers attending an
institute at Floyd, made arrangements for organizing a '^ teachers'
association " for the county. Feb. 18, following, they held their
first regular meeting. They exchanged views on all educational
topics and thus practiced mutual instruction. A common evil of
teachers' '' institutes " in early days in the West, was that of meet-
ing without a programme and am using one another by their wit. This
cannot be asserted of the institutes which have been held in Floyd
County. Here they have always had zealous and competent in-
structors, so that no time has been wasted. In 1874 the Board of
Supervisors appropriated $175 for the benefit of a normal institute
to be held in the county during that summer. Since then the Floyd
County " Normals " have been self-sustaining aside from the State
appropriation of $50; and have been held annually with an aver-
age attendance of about 160 teachers. '
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
About 1873 the Shell Rock Valley Educational Association was
formed on the west side of the counly; and in 1876, when Mr. J.
C. Yocum took charge of the Charles City schools, he issued a call
for a meeting to form a similar organization on the east side of the
coimty. Mr. Yocum's communication to the educational public
was followed by others, and soon a meeting was called for Nov. 25,
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HISTORY OF FLOTD OOUNTT. 687
at the school-hooee in Charles City. At this meeting an organiza-
tion was effected, and the first regular meeting was held in Charles
City on Dec. 16, of the same year.
Feb. 16, of the following year, the first union meeting of the
east and west side associations was held at Charles City. Up to the
present time (1882) both of these educational associations have
maintained a vigorous existence with monthly meetings from Oct-
ober to May of each year; and the two meet in joint session once
each year at some convenient point in the county.
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CHAPTER XIII.
LITERARY.
As Floyd County is blessed with considerable literary talent, we
make a chapter of selections, which will doubtless be highly ap-
preciated by those who are acquainted with the parties, and even by
strangers. And as good prose deserves as much credit as good
poetry, we give two or three short selections of that species of lit-
erature, as illustrative of Floyd County talent, — not that they are
the best that can be produced in the county, but as good composi-
tions already published in the press.
KBS. PEB8I8 A. BBOWN.
This poetess, who has written over the nam de plvme of " Ruth/'
"Ruth Rustic," **Ruth Holmes," etc., is a resident of Ulster
Township, Floyd County, Iowa, and was bom in Halden, Worcester
County, Massachusetts, Sept. 8, 1807. She received a common-
school education when young, which, together with her constant
habit of reading, enabled her to successfully engage in school teach
ing which avocation she pursued some four or five years in Hamp
shire County. August 29, 1832, in the village of Speedsville.
Tompkins County, New York, she and Mr. Edward T. Brown
were united in marriage. This union was blessed with five chil
dren. The first died on the day of her birth. The second died at
the age of twenty months, of inflammation of the brain caused by a
fall. Eugene, the third, is still living; the fourth was shot through
the lungs at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and died April
10, 1862, at the age of twenty years and two months. He sleeps
at Fort Henry, Tennessee. The fifth was drowned; aged nearly
four years. She sleeps at North Becket, Massachusetts. The fam-
ily, including an adopted daughter two years of age, left Massa-
chusetts Oct. 7, 1853; resided in Geneva and Batavia, Illinois,
several years. In 1865 they arrived in what is now Charles City,
though in that day scarcely worthy of the name of a village. Since
that time they have resided in St. Charles Township, and now are
residents of Ulster Township.
(688)
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HlflTOBY OF ELOTD OOUNTT. 589
Ang. 29, 1882, they celebrated their golden wedding, on which
occasion Mrs. Brown contribated the following gem :
Fifty years of married life
Have fallen to my share ;
Fifty years of toil and strife,
Happiness blent with care.
What hath not these fifty yoars
Known of sorrow, joy and tears —
Births and deaths, fearful, evep,
All hopes wrecked, save those of Heayen.
This half, century of years
Bears a record damp with tears ;
War, starvation, prison-bars,
Cursed deeds and endless jars.
Retribution will ere long
Sift the good, adjust the wrong.
Bless the righteous, lift the just
'Bo7e the rubbish, mire and dust.
Still I linger, still I wait,
Watching, till the summons come ;
May no drowsiness overtake.
Ere I'm bidden, ''Child, come home."
The scenes that called forth the following poem transpired long
years since in Massachusetts. Mrs. Brown perhaps is not alone in
snch trials. We dare say many who will read these lines can tes
tify to their appropriateness in their own cases:
I had a little son,
A son just three yea/rs old ;
His face was lily pale,
His hands as marble cold.
I knelt bebide the sleeping thing.
He faintly whispered " Sing, ma, sing."
But how could I attune—
My heart all crushed and sad —
My voice to melody.
And bid mine eye look glad.
Poor, vain attempt. I could bu* try
To sing his dying luUaby,
Long weary years have sped
Since that eventful day ;
Still lives that seeming dead
Now absent, far away.
The battle-field, the fife, the drum.
Give forth the strains arourd him sung.
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690 mSTOBY OF FLOYD OOCJNTY.
Ob, what a world is this,
So fraught with hopes and fears !
Events at every step
Requiring smiles and tears.
Constrained to sing when least inclined,
To sing or weep, however ill-tioied.
The thousand nameless ills
Which cluster in our path,
Adown life*s varied track,
Some usefhl lesson hath.
This life Is long, and ends not here;
We want a higher, holier sphere.
In the month of March, 1863, Mrs. Brown was so unfortunate
as to have her house and its entire contents consumed bj fire. She
was at that time alone and a cripple, which made her loss a still
greater calamity. In this fire she lost a trunk which was filled
with keepsakes, relics, and all her early literary productions. By
request of some friends she produced the following, which ex-
plains itself:
I had a huge trunk all hattered and worn,
Some fifty years old or more ;
Of relics, mementoes, and unique things.
It held a curious store.
There were letters and books, pen-holders and wax.
That came from the scene ot the war;
A jack-knife, a dirk, an old, mouldy shoe,
That bad traveled o'er lands afar.
Little strings of beads, a thimble and comb.
And many a trinket and toy;
Many locks of hair, silver spoons and cards.
And the bcUl that killed my boy!
There were needles and pins, a tia plate and cup.
There were hard tack and cartridges, t )0,
A teacup, a pitcher, the till of a cheU;
That was many years ago.
A worsted satchel, a small vas3 mat.
Each wrought by a mother's hiud ;
A tiny blue dress, a collar and chain,
That need not a magic wand
To tell as plaintively sweet
As ever a novelist told ;
A whel stone, a hair brush, a china vase,
Of value more than gold ;
A soldier's companion, a scnrf, book and key.
An album and poems sweet;
A small white basket, som ^ Southern fruit leaves,
I think my list complete.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 591
A.. B. F. HILDBBTH.
The aathor of the following, is well known to the people of
Floyd County. A biographical sketch is given of him in Chapter
XIV:
** I SHALL REST TO-NIGHT."
BY A. B. F. HILDBBTH.
A momiaff flower plucked for heaven was the writer's little daughter of six
summers, who lately passed from this to a better world, there to bloom forever in,
the paradise of Qod. While upon her dying couch, and shortly before her de-
parture, she besought her wearied and grief-stricken parents to take repose, say-
ing—"I shall rest to-night.** At midnight, Nov. 29, 1957, she closed her eyes as
if in a calm slumber, and in a few minutes was indeed **at rest"
*'I shall rest to-night.*' Another day.
While my loved flowerb* in breezes dance,
You'll take me from this Twme away I
A mournful train will then advance
Up through the long and silent street,
To bear me to my lone retreat.
Oh, there— it matters not— will rave
The storms and blasts of wintry weather.
Above the narrow new-made grave.
Where de ith and I lie down together!
Enough that / ^hall know it not,
Within that lone and narrow spot.
For I shall sleep. As sweet a sleep
As ever blessed a child reposing.
Awaits me in the grave so deep.
When I, my weary eyelids closing,
At length shall lay me down to rest,
Heedless of clods above mv breast.
Asleep I How deep will be the *'rest,'*
Free fh)m life's turmoil moring wildly,
That when is passed the earth's unrest,
Its bosom shall receive me mildly;
For not one dream of earth may come
To break the slumber of that home !
Ob, deep repose! Oh, slumber blest !
Ob, night of peace! no storm, no sorrow.
No heavy stirring in that ''rest,*'
To meet another weary morrow !
I shall heed neither night nor dawn,
But still with folded arms sleep on !
''Weep not, dear parents," more for me.
But live as all true Christians should
"I'm not afraid to die," you see;
"You'll come to me, if you are good;"*
Ere long we'll meet, forever blest,
Beyond the skies in endless "rest."
*She was pasBionttilj fbnd of floweis. tHer dying words.
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592 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNl'Y.
FLORENCE PERCY.
This is the nam de plume of Elizabeth {nee Chase) Allen, the
author of *'Rock Me to Sleep, Mother." Her compositions were
neat and beautiful. A further notice is given of her in the next
chapter, in the account of the Intelligencer.
J. CHESTON WHrrNBY,
well known as a former County Superintendent of Schools, many
years ago contributed the following:
THE COUNTIES OP IOWA.
Our home is in Iowa,
Westward toward the setting sun,
Just between Iwo mighty rivers,
Where the flowing waters run ;
It has towns and it has cities,
It has many noble streams,
It has ninety-nine counties.
And we'll join to sing their names.
Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson,
Where the Spirit Lake we see ;
Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago,
Worth, with its Lake Albert Lea;
Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek,
And Allamakee so fine,
Make eleven northern counties
On the Minnesota line.
Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, Clinton,
Together with Scott and Muscatine,
Lee, Louisa and Des Moines,
On the eastern line is seen ;
Van Baren, Davis, Appanoose,
Decatur, Ringgold, Wayne we spy ;
Taylor, Page and Fremont, that
On Missouri's border lie.
Pottawattamie, Harrison, Mills,
Monona, Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux,
Are all the counties that around
The border of our State we view.
Next we point you to O'Brien,
Palo Alto too, and Clay,
Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd,
Now see Chickasaw, I pray.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 593
Fayette, Bremer, Batler, Franklin,
Next upon the map we see;
Wright and Humboldt, Pocahontas,
Bnena Vista, Cherokee,
Ida, Sac, Calhoun and Webster,
Hamilton, with names so rare ;
Next is Hardin, Grundy, B'ack Hawk,
And Buchanan, Delaware.
Jones, Linn, Benton, Tama, Marshall,
Story, Crawford, Carroll, Boone,
(Let us not your patience weary.
We shall have them all told soon,)
Cedar, Greene, Johnson, Iowa,
With Powesheik by the same ;
Here is Jasper, Polk and Dallas,
Names of Presidential fame.
Guthrie, Audubon and Shelby,
Cass and Madison, Adair,
Warren, Marion and Mabaska,
And Keokuk, too, is there :
Henry, Jefferson and Wapello,
Monroe, Washington we missed ;
Lucas. Clarke, Union, Adams.
And Montgomery fills the list
EUZABETH J. COLE
In early days contributed more poetry to the Charles City Intdli
genc&r than any other person. We make only one selection.
COMING HOME.
I'm coming home at last^ mother.
Home to your arms once more;
Methinks their fond embrace, mother.
Would soothe me as of yore.
The way seems long and dark, mother,
My heart is yearning so;
I long for one caress, mother.
The kiss of long ago.
I would not pain your heart, mother.
But you'll know it bye and bye —
Your boy is coming home, mother.
Yes, coming home to die.
IVe longed to breathe the air, mother.
Of my dear mountain home ;
And feel its balmy breeze, mother,
Among my tresses roam.
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594 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Gould I cool my parching lipe, mother,
And lave my burning brow
With a draught from the old well, mother,
It would be blissful now.
But I*m coming to you now, mother —
You'll not be waiting long-
But not as when I left, mother.
Vigorous, blithe and strong.
Can it be night so soon, mother?
Tis, oh, so dark and cold I
Within your loving arms, mother.
Your dying child enfold.
Prairie Glen, Feb. 28, 1864.
Contributed a great deal to the press many years ago, both poetry
and prose. We give one short selection :
*' MATERNAL AFFECTION.
^^ How vast its import! How deep its fountain! How lasting its
duration! What weariness is not endured! What untiring eflfort
is put forth when naught but the alleviation of suftering is reason-
ably expected!
^' When all hope has fled, and the pale, emaciated little one has
become a lifeless form, so unlike what it was in health as scarcely
to be recognized, with what tenacity and affection the mother's
heart clings to it still! Its little fragile form is laid upon the
table, clad in the drapery of the grave, yet unceasingly does the
mother weep by its side. Its tiny hands are gently folded, its
silvery, clustering curls are sweetly parted again and again, to
produce, if possible, some trace or resemblance of its former life
and beauty; but the spirit has departed, and inanimate clay is all
that remains. Tis buried, and the grave closes over that cher-
ished, beautiful object. Oh, the sadness and desolation that now
take possession of that mother's heart!. How carefully is col-
lected and preserved each toy and garment formerly used and
worn, as memento of ^ the loved and lost! ' But how unavailing!
Nothing fills that vacancy in that mother's heart; the steel hath
entered, and the wound remains. Time may produce some
change; it may indeed check the heart's bleeding; but how easily
it gushes forth again like some long pent-up current Grace af-
fords the best remedy for the sorrows of this life, and yet what
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HI8TOEY OF FLOYD COUNIT. 696
mother ever possessed so much of that heavenly virtue as to be-
come insensible to the woe or weal of her offspring. But no less
severely is her affection tested, when the child upon whom she
had rested all her future hopes, deserts her entirely, disregarding
alike her necessities and entreaties; becomes familiar with scenes
of vice and infamy; yet, if detected in the commission of crime,
how long her heart seeks to believe him innocent, and if con-
victed, how readily she forgives and also ardently prays her God to
forgive him, even if it be the last act of her lifel Oh, if there be
aught in our natures uncontaminated by sin, surely it is this:
A mother's love."
W. p. OAYLOKD.
We present here a specimen of Mr. Gaylord's descriptive
powers.
THE SENIOB EDrTOB^s EXPEBiENOE — JBabes in the Hood — How it goes
to raise a family^ wad how a family goes after being raised.
We are not so much worried over what will become of our
children when we are gone, as we are in knowing what will be-
come of us when our children are here. They are little nuisances
and big nuisances, according to [their age and size, and yet we
donH know how we could keep house without them. Their infer-
nal noise is oflen provoking, but we have heard so much of it that
we begin to like it. We could not smoke, nor read, nor write, nor
sleep without it.
When we were shown our first baby, and were informed that it
looked just like its father, we thought it was about the cutest thing
we ever saw; but after a little observation and inquiry we
found that almost everybody else had the same opinion of their
baby that we had of ours, and the older we grew and the more
babies we had, the more we found out that the mother of our
babies thought a great deal more of them than anybody else did.
Women with their children used to come to our house, visiting,
and would say our children were " smart and good looking," but I
noticed that all such women paused for a reply, and were tickled
amazingly when my wife would retnm the compliment by saying
the same thing about their children. We have some knowledge
of camphor, castor oil, soothing syrup, paregoric, laudanum and
catnip. We know something about jumping up in the night, strik-
ing our head against the door-casing, peeling our shins against the
stove hearth, stumbling over chairs and smashing lamp chimneys
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696 HI8T0EY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
to reach the match box. We like the interesting time when the
measles, mumps, whooping congh and prairie itch are around; it
makes things lively.
We like the experience of that hour between daylight and sun-
rise, when, snoring at the rate of ten knots an hour, one of the
little ''images of its dad " has crawled over its mother from the
back side of the bed, and whacks its hand right into my face,
punches its fingers up my nose, pulls my hair, gives my lips a
gouge, and tries to play with my ears, — all of which was as good
as an alarm bell, and just about as regular. I like to see them
coming down stairs in the morning, some their clothes half on,
some with clothes in hand, some bare-handed, bare-headed and
bare-footed, with their hair frizzled over their heads like the mane
of a wild mustang, and hear them sing out " Mother, where is my
stockings?" ''Mother, where is my shoes?" " Mother, where is
my garter?" "Mother, where is my apron?" "Mother, where is
my comb?" "Mother, where is the wash-basin?" "Mother where
is the towel?" "Mother, 1 ain't agoin' to school to-day."
And now comes rattling down stairs like a four^horse wagon,
Young America, — the only one we have got (and we are not yet
sure whether we have got him or he has. got us); but, like a good
many other boys, he stays with us over night and runs wild
through the day. He, too, has to dress himself in the kitchen; his
stockings are always wet, his boots are always run over and
shrunken, his trowsers always torn, and, just like his father, he
never knows where to find hi^ hat. Sometimes I have a notion to
lick him, and we suppose he sometimes has a notion to lick qs;
but, if we behave ourselves decently well, we are inclined to think
he will let us board with him till he is twenty-one.
The family menagerie is an interesting show. There is some
fun, and much music and money, in bringing up a family of ten,
twenty, thirty or forty children.
When breakfast is ready, the children are never ready for it.
They are always hungry enough, and willing enough to come
forward and eat, but between them and the table is that great gulf,
the wash-basin, so that those who would come up with unwashed
hands and faces as black as the ace of spades, can not. Then it is
interesting to see three or four of them washing around the same
basin at the same time, some washing the inside of their hands,
some the outside, some wetting one side of their fiace, some the
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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDaTIOHS
c
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 699
other, and some ueither side, and all using the water with as mmch
economy as though it were the only water in America.
Then comes the stampede for the towel. One seizes at each end ,
another the middle; one twitches one way, another in another
direction, and another sags down in the middle, while all go
weaving to and fro like a willow hedge in a thunder-storm, and
each trying to wear off with the towel what they ought to have
washed off with the water. Then up to the * glass ' they come, and
of course all want the same comb at the same time. One, with
tears in its eyes, is trying to straighten out its tangled hair, which
was welded together the day before with gum and molasses.
Another is waiting for the comb, mad because it can't have it,
while another is squalling because it is obliged to use it.
Around the table they come, one whining because it " hain't got
the right knife and fork, " another taking exception to its platen
while all are asking for something at the same time, and each as
mad as a hornet because the other has the biggest piece, and at the
same time sniffling just enough to get another unwanted slice from
its indulgent mother. Then it is fun to see the little two-year old
get mad, just because she can't have all that is on the table;
refusing to eat because she can't have her cake and pie and nick-
nacks first; then to see her try to have revenge on her mother by
throwing her fork or spoon under the table, just to show her
indignation and to see her mother pick it up, — which her mother
always does, to gratify the ^poor little thing, ' who returns her
affection by throwing it down again in such a provoking manner
as to bring a loving mother's cuffing hand in red hot contact with
her little ears. Then comes the squall of bloody murder; then
comes the crawling down from the high chair position ; then the
creeping imder the table, where she flops herself face downward to
the floor, just to show her mother that her majesty is insulted, and
that she has rights which her mother is bound to respect; and there
she lies, mad as a wet hen, kicking and floundering if she is
noticed, and still more terribly mad if she is unnoticed.
While this interesting scene has been going on, the other children,
who are older grown, have taken advantage of the confusion and
have it all their own way. They have upset the coffee-cups all
over the table-cloth; the pies, the cake and the nick-nacks, have
gone the way of all the earth, and the sugar-bowl stands there as
a monument of what it once contained. And all this has been go-
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600 HISTOBY OF FI4OYD COUNTY.
ing on right under the eye of their father, who has neither seen
the sights nor heard the sounds.
It takes a veteran mother to whitewash and rig up a family of
fifteen or twenty children for school. One wants to wear her "red
frock," another her " white apron," another her ''best gaiters,"
and all would like to wear their best hats, with feathers fluttering
in profusion. When these things are denied thera, their wrath is
red-hot, and " 'tis music in the sinner's ears " to hear them howl.
One declares she won't go to school to-day, if she can't have
clothes like other children. Another says that all the other girls
wear better shoes to school than she has for Sunday; another in-
sists that there is not another hat in the whole school as homely
as hers ; while another declares that she don't see why her father can't
get nice things as well as Smith, and Brown, and Jones. Another
is bound not to go to school because she '' hain't got no books ;'^
another, because the other children made fun of her; another, be-
cause ''the teacher ain't good for nothing;" another, because
some one has been exposed to the measles or the itch; and another
because she is sick, when the fact is, if she were allowed to rig up
in her best clothes, she would be well in less than five minutes.
After a great tribulation, and a^brief discussion, in which the
switch is used for an argument, a compromise is made with their
mother, by the terms of which they agree to go to school on the
conditions following, to wit: 1. That each one is to have a hand-
ful of white sugar before he or she starts. 2. That some day they
shall have as good clothes as other children. 3. That they shall
have a new set of books the first time their father goes to town.
4. That their mother shall put up for their dinners about twice as
much as they really want. 5. That their dinners shall consist of
cakes and pies, and pies and cakes, with a little more cake, and a
little more pie. 6. That they may come home at recess in the af-
ternoon, and especially if they get sick. 7. That they needn't go
to school the next day unless they're a mind to. 8. That if they
go to school to-day, they may go to the nigger show to-night. 9.
That when they get a little bigger they shall have an organ. 10.
That their mother shall stay at home and that they may go to the
next "Free Methodist camp-meeting." 11. That when they get
to be "young women " they needn't mind their father — unless he
" gets his dander up." 12. That if the teacher don't behave him-
self, they may quit the school altogether.
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HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTT. 601
They have started off to school, and their mother strikes
up,
" O land of rest, for thee I sigh!"
We are glad to get rid of their noise. The mother says the
teacher is paid for his work, and he may as well have a little bother-
ation with them as to throw it all off on her. None are left at home
except the baby — and here she comes, bare-headed and bare-footed,
yelling, back to the house, because the older children, whom she
has tried to follow off, have driven her back. But a handful of
sugar, a doll-baby, and her father's razor to play with, soon takes
the pout out of her, and the business of the day begins.
The first exemse is to whack her two hands into her mothe r's
dough ; then comes the knitting needles out of her mother's kti it-
ting ; now off goes the head from the doll-baby ; then the wheel-
barrow and hand-sled come into the house ; now the contents of
the trunks of the older children are inspected from top to bottom ;
then she tries to whittle a top out of a spool with her father's
razor ; and now the old cat and kittens have to be suspended by
their tails till their patience is worn out, when they wheel oa
her and scratch themselves out of her clutches, and another
shower of yells is set up, which are quieted with another hand-
fnl of sugar, and a complimentary rag is tied upon the wounded
finger.
These interesting scenes are interspersed with a thousand and
one questions, among which is, who made her? and when she is
answered, that the Lord made all things, her inquisitiveness is ex-
cited and she wants to know who made the Lord ; and her mother,
tired of answering her questions, tells her to *' dry up."
And so it goes all through the day, till here they come rattling
home from school like so many escaped pigs from a muddy pen.
Here comes one with the handle torn off her dinner-basket; another,
with her apron in her hand ; another, with her wet feet ; another,
with a scratched face, while Young Am3rica comes with his trow-
sers legs ripped from his boots to his knees ; one goes for the
sugar-bowl, another for the preserves ; another for a loaf of bread,
and the pandemonium thus illustrated is but the foreground of the
hell that follows.
Now for a ride on the wheel-barrow and the hand-sled, with the
"littlest" always in front as a fender, and down the hill they go,
striking the trees and fences, half spilling and half killing the little
*' fellers," who have been placed in front by the more crafty ones
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602 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTT.
of experience. Then comes music — sweet chin-music from the
whole band, while up the hill they crawl with their red fingers
and earr», vowing vengeance each on the other as they come up to
the appellant court of their indulgent mother to make an exhibit
of torn clothes atid heads, and ears plastered with mud and snow.
The court, after patiently liste/dng to the evidence, tlireatens to
* ' skin tliem alive " if they ever do the like again ; and, for the want
of a whip in the house and a disposition to use one, the case goes
up to the supreme court of their father.
Slipper is ready and but one or two respond. They had too
much when they came home from school. After supper is over,
the performance begins : tops, marbles and doll-babies all come
around in turn. Then one gets into the rocking-chair, and all want
it, roust have it, can't do without it ; one crawls in back of the one
in front ; another, still behind her, and so on till the chair is full to
the top, when the one in front is crowded out and over goes the
chair, and down come the passengers, and another singing-school
is begun, where all the key-notes are struck, from the finest treble
to the coarsest bass.
The evening's entertainment winds up with a ball — ^through the
window, a doll all gone to smash, the rocker split off the rocking-
chair, and an endless variety of disputes.
Bed-time has come. There lies one under the table, fast asleep,
another under the stand, and another on the lounge. On being
aroused and ordered to bed, two or three of the youngest are bound
to sleep with their mother ; another will go up stairs for five cents ;
another wants a handful (»f sugar; another a stick of gum, till their
mother, provoked beyond endurance, brings out the album, and,
showing them the profile of their father, tolls them she can hear
him coming, when they scamper off to bed in quick meter.
Many others in Floyd County have contributed able poems and
prose articles to the newspaper press, but mostly under initials only
or fictitious names ; a^, ''Crispin," '^Meave," **R. M. C," etc.
Also, we make honorable mention of Dr. J. W. Smith, Mrs. Lida
E. Reiniger, Miss H. F. Brainard and W. S. Rider (deceased).
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CHAPTER XIV.
THE PRESS. '
There is no instrumentality, not even excepting the pulpit and
the bar, which exerts such an influence upon society as the press of
the land. It is the Archimedian lever that m )veS the world. The
talented minister of the gospel on the Sabbath day preaches to a
few hundred people; on the following morning his thoughts are
reproduced more than a thousand fold, and are read and discussed
throughout the length and breadth of tlie land. The attorney at
the bar, in thrilling tones, pleads either for or against the criminal
arraigned for trial, ofcen causing the jury to bring in verdict against
the law and the testimony in the case. His words are reproduced
in every daily reached by the telegraphic wire, and his arguments
are calmly weighed by unprejudic3d m:jn and accepted for what
they are worth. The politician takes the stand and addresses a
handful of men upon the political questions of the day; his speech
is reported and read by a thousand men for every one that heard the
address. Suddenly the waters of one of our mighty rivers rise,
overflowing the land for miles and miles, rendering thousands of peo
pie homeless and without means to secure their daily bread. The
news is flashed over the wire, taken up by the press, and is known
and read of all men. No time is lost in sending to their relief—
the press has made known their wants and they are instantly sup-
plied. ''Chicago is on fire! Two hundred millions worth of prop-
erty destroyed! Fifty thousand people rendered homeless! " Such
is the dread intelligence proclaimed by the press. Food and cloth-
ing are hastily gathered, trains are chartered, and the immediate
wants of the sufferers are in a measure relieved.
The power for good or evil of the press, is to-day unlimited.
The short comings of the politician are made known through its
columns; the dark deeds of the wicked are exposed; and each fear
it alike. The controlling influence of a Nation, State or county
is its press, and the press of Floyd County is no exception to the
rule.
(603)
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604 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
CHABLE8 CITY INTELLIGENCER.
The first newspaper printed and published in Floyd County was
the " St. Charles Republican Intelligencer. " This journal was
established, printed and owned by A. B. F. Hildreth and D. D.
W. Carver, both experienced newspaper men. Their printing ma-
terial was all new, purchased in New York City, and shipped thence
to St. Charles in the spring of 1856. These men also bought in
New York a chest of carpenter tools, with which, and with their
own hands, they erected in St. Charles (now Charles City) what
has ever since been known as the *' Intelligencer Building," on the
corner of Main and Kelly streets. Much of the lumber for this
building they carried on their backs from the Kelly saw-mill at
the foot of Main street.
On the 31st of July, 1856, the initial number of the Intelligencer
made its appearance. It was a folio sheet, well edited, handsomely
printed, and contained seven columns to the page. It had for its
motto the often misquoted words of Bishop Berkley:
*' Westward the course of empire takes its way."
The news spread over town that the paper was about to appear,
and several persons desired to secure the first impression. As
there could be but one sheet of this kind, and nearly one hundred
people had assembled in front < f the printing office, all eager for
the news, the crowd shouted: "Set up the first paper at
auction; we will bid on it." This request was complied with, after
which the following paragraph was promptly inserted:
" We stop the press to publish that, so great was the rush and
anxiety among our friends to secure the^r^^ copy (impression) of
the St. Charles Republican Intelligencer, an auction was proposed,
when Wm. Spencer, Esq., as auctioneer, struck off the same to
the highest bidder for the handsome sum of $20. The Jucky pur-
chasers were Duncan Ferguson and G. B. Eastman, of the firm of
Ferguson & Eastman, bankers, dealers in exchange and land
agents, St. Charles, Floyd County, la."
Mr. Eastman was determined that the first impression of the
first number should not go out of town, and having to bid against
parties from Kockford, 111., who had interests here, the price ran
up to the fabulous sum named above.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 605
At the close of the sale a large number of subscriptions were at
once handed in, and the demand for extra copies exceeded any-
thing of the kind previously experienced by these enterprising
pub
During the first year of the publication of the Intelligenoer its
advertising patronage was so increased that, on Oct. 7, 1867,
it was enlarged so as to give nine columns to the page, or thii'ty-
six for the whole sheet. It was also given a new and beautiful
heading. For this, Mr. Hildreth designed a very pretty vignette,
having in the center the territorial seal of Iowa (a hawk with an
arrow in his beak and a bow in his talons), and on either side of it
emblems of the settlement of a new country — ^the emigrant
wagon, farming tools, sheaves of grain, the flowing river, flouring
mill, printing press, Indians' tents, and the red men gazing in
astonishment upon the changed order of things. This design was
engraved in Boston, and, with the entire heading, was electro-
typed at an expense of $30.
The financial crisis that came upon the country in 1867, affected
the business men of Floyd County as well as those of the Eastern
States, and just as the Intelligencer had enlarged its capabilities
for accommodating the business of the county, its patronage and
support began to decline; but the size of the paper was never cut
down, nor was there any falling off in the ability and interest of
its editorial columns, as was the case at that time with nearly all
other Western newspapers. To maintain the present size and
character of the Intelligencer required economy and money, and
then its publication could only be continued at a loss, some years,
of many hundreds of dollars. Fortunately Mr. Hildreth bad the
means to sustain himself in the arduous avocation. But his
partner, Mr. Carver, became discouraged, and Aug. 1, 1869, sold
out his interest in the paper to Mr. H., who conducted the business
thereafter alone.
In January, 1862, the name of the paper was changed to "Hil-
dreth's Charles City Intelligencer." Business revived, and the
paper prospered. From 1860, and during the succeeding nine
years, the Intelligencer was appointed, by the General Govern-
ment, as one of the papers in Iowa in which to publish the laws
of Congress. It also had the printing of the State laws during
that time. A review of its columns shows that it had an able
corps of correspondents, in Japan and on the continent of Europe,
as well as in Washington, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chi-
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606 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
cage, and other parts of the United States. Among its poetic
contributors were Mrs. Elizabeth Akers Allen, of Richmond, Vir-
ginia, better known as "Florence Percy," author of "Rock Me to
Sleep, Mother;" W. A. Bacon, of Detroit, Michigan; Matilda
Fletcher, and many others of Iowa. Its regular army correspond-
ence during the war of the Rebellion, was full and of the highest
character. Among the latter writers was Winfield Scott Rider,
of Floyd, whose army letters were always perused with deep
interest.
In a volume entitled the "Valley and the Shadow," now before
us, published in 1868 by J. M. Dixon, formerly associate editor of
the Iowa State Register at Des Moines, under the head of "Iowa
Journalism," we find the following:
"Many of my readers have noticed, for several years, a sheet oi
elegant appearance, called the IrUelligencer^ which is published
in Charles City, Floyd County. Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth, its owner
and conductor, was a member, several years since, of the State
Board of Education, for which position his scholarly habits and
tastes clearly ad&pted him. Subsequently he was a member of
the Legislature, giving ample evidence that he was as proficient
in legislating for the general interests of Iowa as for, the special
interests of popular education. His enterprise and his admirable
economy, as well as his talent in editorial management, give him
the ability to publish one of tho finest looking weekly papers in
all the Israel of Iowa. He is a gentleman of quick conception,
of careful but not hesitating judgment, passionate in his love of
literature, and very strong in his general attachments and pre-
possessions. It is a miracle of success, that he never was com-
pelled, through all the vicissitudes of the past eight years, to
reduce the size of his very large paper, or to make any radical
changes in it which looked to diminution of weekly expenditure."
It must not be supposed that all was smooth sailing and an open
sea in the management ot the Intelligencer. With the masses of
the people the paper was always popular, but with certain unwor-
thy third-rate politicians the case was different. Men of this class
found but little favor in the columns of the Intelligenoei\ and of
course they were not pleased with it. ^ These " political paupers "
always wish to ride the press, but are never known to pay for
riding. When their " claims " were rejected, and coaxing and
flattery would effect nothing, threats were tried ; they would "kill the
paper and hang its hide on the fence." But instead of the ^'killing"
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HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUinT. 607
the paper would thrive all the better under this kind of opposition.
The common people are honest. They like a bold, faithful leader,
one who will protect their interests and expose corruption ; and
when men set themselves up for office who had never shown
capability in any legitimate business of their own, and abused the
Intelligencer because they could not control it, the citizens of the
county would jj^ve it a still more liberal support. The paper was
always Bepublican in politics, and '^principles rather than men "
seems to have been its guiding sentiment. Under Mr. Hildreth's
management it always maintained a high moral tone. Every
parent felt safe in placing it in the hands of his children.
Specialist medical advertisements were scrupulously excluded from
its columns, no matter what the money temptation might be to
procure their insertion.
On the 1st of October, 1870, after a period of fourteen years'
laborious editorial service in Charles City, Mr. Hildreth sold the
InUUigenoer and his entire printing establishment to Messrs.
Dyke & Rowell, and retired permanently from the field of
journalism.
Mr. Kowell, who had been for a number of years an employe in
the government printing office in Washington, not taking a liking
to the West, sold his interest in the paper to W. H. Leonard, Feb.
16, 1871. In October of the next year, Mr. Leonard having been
offered a half interest in the Janesville, Wis., HecordeVy on very
advantageous terms, sold out to C. L. Dyke, and the firm name of
the publishers became Dyke Bros., the same as to-day. During
this year Rev. John A. Cruzan, the *' printer preacher," edited a
religious column, which added much to the value of the paper.
He was pastor of the Congregational church. In the spring of
1874 the publishers were taken with the California fever, and on
the first of May sold to the Owens Bros., and wended their way to
the Eldorado. In July of this year, the old and beautiful heading
was changed for the one in use at present, and the page head-lines
were dropped. Feb. 26, 1876, H. L. Owens, who had become sole
proprietor in the preceding fall, sold to C. A. Slocum,whoin turn,
March 16, 1876, sold to Dyke Bros., who had returned from Cali-
fornia, and the papej* has since been controlled by the latter. In
1876-'7, a temperance column was published, with Mrs. E. L. Slo.
cum, editor; she was succeeded by Addis Schermerhorn, and the
column was a feature of the paper until after the passage of the
amendment, when it was discontinued. In 1878-'9, a teachers'
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608 HISTOKY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
column was edited by Capt. G. H. Nichols, County Superintend-
ent of Schools. The Intelligencer has always led the other papers
of the county in circulation, and since 1876, when Dyke Bros, last
purchased it, has run up its list from less than 800, to over 1,400,
which circulation it still maintains. The office is one of the best-
equipped in Northern Iowa. It has a ten-column Campbell press
(without tapes) for newspaper work, half Nonpareil, and eight
Peerless presses for job work. Peerless paper cutter, and an im-
mense amount of material of all kinds necessary for a first-class
office. The power is supplied by wire cable from the Water Power
Company's mill, 614 feet distant, and is carried over the roofs of
several high buildings. It is the perfection of power, safd, steady
and reliable. The Dyke Bros, are both practical printers, and
as ready with the composing stick and rule as with the pen, which
accounts something for their success in the business. The paper
has always been staunch Republican, and is the recognize i organ
of the better elements of the party. Its proprietors have always
carefully refrained from surrendering it to any of the ''isms"
which have of late years infested politics, consequently it has the
confidence of the ''bone and sinew " of the great party which has
ruled Iowa so many years . It has often had bitter political fights
on hand, but these have usually been managed with such consum-
mate skill as to secure success for its side of the contest Of course,
such a paper has enemies, but its hosts of friends outnumber them
a hundred to one.
The general style of the paper is very neat and tasty, and the
editorial work and make-up and press work, is a credit to Iowa
journalism, than which no higher praise can be given.
There are less than a score of older papers in the State, and it
has never changed its name or its politics.
E. B. Dyke is editor, and C. L. Dyke business manager.
Azro Benjamin Franklin Hildreth, one of the early settlers of
Charles City, was born in Chelsea, Orange County; Vt., on the
29th day of February, A. D. 1816. His father, Daniel Hildreth,
WHS born in Pepperell, Middlesex County, Mass., in 1783, and at an
early age removed with his parents to Vermont. James Hildreth,
father of Daniel Hildreth, and grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was of the old Puritan stock, and of English origin.
Richard Hildreth, the progenitor of all the Hildreths in America,
came with a small colony of Puritans from the north of England,
about twenty years after the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 609
Bock, and settled in Woburn, near Boston. The mother of Daniel
Hildreth, and wife of James Hildreth, was Esther Fletcher,
daughter of L'eutenant Timothy Fletcher, of Westford, Mass., a
gentleman of some note at the time of, and previous to, the Revo-
lution, and whose family name, as well as that of Hildreth, has
been somewhat distinguished to the present day. Daniel Web-
ster's first wife was of that family, and their oldest son bore the
cognomen of Fletcher Webster.
The mother of A. B. F. Hildreth was Clarissa Tyler, daughter
of Jonathan Tyler. She was born in Piermont, Grafton County,
N. H., July 6, 1794.
History informs us that, in the year 1682, a family of emigrants
arrived from England, bearing the name of Tyler. The father's
christian name is not given. His sons were Daniel, David and
John. Daniel settled in Connecticut, David in Massachusetts,
anl John in New Jersey. The families of the first two passed up
the valley of the Connecticut River, and located in Piermont,
N. H., while the New Jersey branch wandered southward to Vir-
ginia. To the latter branch belonged John Tyler, who was at one
time President of the United States.
The wife of Jonathan Tyler, son of Daniel Tyler, was Sarah
McConnell, to whom he was married shortly after settling in Pier-
mont, when she was of the tender age of twelve and one-half years.
She was of Scotch origin, of fiir complexion, and her beauty so
won the afioction of young Tyler that, young as she was, he was
induced to propose marriage, and was accepted. She was the
mother of thirteen children, and died in 1815, at the age of
fifty-three years, beloved and lamented by all who knew her.
Her husband, Jonathan Tyler, lived to the advanced age of nine-
ty-six years, and died in 1818, at Piermont, N. H. He was a
soldier of the war of 1812-'16.
Daniel Hildreth and Clarissa Tyler were united in wedlock at
Piermont, N. H., Jane 9, 1814, and immediately removed to their
new home in Chelsea, Vt. A farm had been purchased in that
new locality, and here they, with toil and patience, m ide them a
home which in time afforded many of the comforts and even lux-
uries of life. There were born to them twelve children, six sons
and six daughters, of whom A. B. F. Hildreth was the oldest.
Daniel Hildreth, the father, died on the old homestead, in 1868,
at the age of seventy-five years and six months. His wife sur-
vived him a little more than eleven years, and died in 1870, aged
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610 HISTOKY OF FLOYD COUNTV.
seventy-five years and nine months. Both were members of the
Congregational church, and died, as they had lived, sincere and
devoted Christians. Agriculture was their principal avocation
through life. In the business of stock raising, horses and cattle,
and especially in wool-growing, the family were quite successful,
and enjoyed a fair share of this world's goods.
It will be seen from the Hbove that A. B. F. Hildreth was born
and bred a farmer. He early manifested a fondness for books and
soon acquired a good common-school education. When at the age of
sixteen years, he taught a district school in Piermoat, New Hamp-
shire. The present companion of his declining years was then a pupil
in his school, and gave him the cognomen of '' The beardless school-
master. " For several years he was accustomed to toil upon his
father's farm during the spring and summer months, attend a fall
term at the academy, and teach a school in the winter.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Hildreth obtained the consent of
his parents to go out into the world and seek his fortune. He
soon found himself in the city of New York, and obtained employ-
ment there in the house of a book publisher. The next spring, 1837t
he was thrown out of business by the failure of his employer, who
went down in the terrible financial crash that year. His preserva-
tion from vice or crime, while in that city, may be attributed to
the excellent moral and religions training which be had received
from his parents.
Returning to the old home in the Green Mountain State, and
loving literature better than farming, he accepted a position in the
newspaper and job printing establishment of Wm. Hewes, in his
native town, where he gained a knowledge of the art of printing
and the profession of a journalist. In 1839 he located in Lowell,
Mass., and established himself in business as printer and publisher.
His publications there were the Daily Morning News^ the Lit-
erary Souuenir (weekly), and the Ladies^ Literary Repository
(semi-monthly).
After a few years Mr. Hildreth sold out his business in Lowell
and removed to Boston, but was soon induced to enter the field of
journalism again, in Bradford, Vt. Here, in 1848, he opened a
newspaper and job printing establishment, and began the publica-
tion of a weekly newspaper called the American Protector^ a high
tariff or protectionist paper, which advocated the election of Henry
Clay for President ; and a monthly magazine known as the Oreer^
Mountain Oem.
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HlflTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 611
With the defeat of Henry Clay subsided the hopes and energies
of the protection or Whig party in Vermont. The publication of
the Protector was discontinued, and in its place was issued the
Vermont Family Gazette^ a weekly literary and family news-
paper. This latter journal soon became popular throughout
Vermont, had a good circulation, and in connection with the
Green Mountain Oem^ gave its enterprising publisher a hand-
some support. After continuing the printing and publishing
business in Bradford some ten years, a returned Californian, with
his pockets full of gold, came along and bought out the entire
business, leaving Mr. Hildreth free to seek new fields of labor.
While living in Bradford, on the 2l8t day of October, 1844,
Mr. Hildreth was married to Liveria Aurette Knight, of Frye-
burg, Oxford County, Maine, a lady of education and refinement.
Her father was Josiah Knight, then proprietor of the celebrated
Oxford House, the popular stage hotel at that place, on the route
from Portland to the White Mountains; and for the last twenty-five
years he was a venerable citizen of Charles City, Iowa.
Mr. Knight was a son of Dr. Jonathan Knight, and was born
in Westmoreland, N. H., March 8, 1792. He died at Charles
City, Iowa, March 16, 1882, aged ninety years and eight days.
His mother's maiden name was Betsey Dudley, who was born at
Harvai'd, Mass., Oct. 31, 1764, and died in Piermont, N. H.,
May 8, 1866, at the remarkable age of 103 years and 6* months.
The mother of Mrs. Hildreth, and wife of Josiah Knight, was
Betsey Joslin, daughter of Peter Joslin, who married Sarah Kid-
der in Winchendon, Mass., June 1, 1786. Mrs. Knight was bom
in Winchendon Jan. 1, 1789, and died in Charles City, la.,
Dec. 26, 1868, aged sixty-nine years. She was a most estimable
woman.
Mrs. Hildreth was bom in Surry, N. H., June 11, 1817. Her
only child was Mary Liveria Aurette Hildreth, born at Bradford,
Vt, June 23, 1851, and died in Charles City, Iowa, Nov. 30, 1867,
aged six years, five months and seven days. She was a precocious
child. In her birth many hopes were centered — ^in her death all
these were forever blasted.
After closing up his business in Bradford, Vt., Mr. Hildreth
removed to Holyoke, Mass., in January, 1853, and engaged in
-mercantile business. Not many months elapsed before some of
the leading citizens there, induced him to relinquish his store and
once more engage in the work of newspaper printing and publish-
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612 HI8T0BY OF FLOTD COUNTY.
ing. In this he was very successful. His newspaper was called
the Holyoke Mirron He conducted the business until Novem-
ber, 1856, when he sold out, and in the spring of 1856 removed to
Charles City, la.
At that time Floyd County was a new country, and many hard-
ships and privations were to be endured. Here was opened a
broad field for enterprise and usefulness. How unlike the old
overcrowded towns of Eastern States, where business is overdone
and competition crowds out or crushes under every new comer,
who is looked upon as an interloper. In the great and growing
West men are wanted and are welcomed. In those days Charles
City contained a population of only a few hundred. Not a dozen
frame houses were to be seen in the whole town, the others being
built of logs. Provisions were very scarce, and could only be
obtained at high prices. The few settlers who had come into tlie
county during the previous year had raised but a small quantity
of farm produce, not nearly enough to supply the rapidly increasing
demand of the new settlers who succeeded them. There was no
time for idleness.
Mr. Hildreth erected a two-story frame building, the lower story
for a store and the upper story for his printing office, and had i
ready for occupancy in June, and before cold weather came he had
also built a comfortable dwelling-house.
On the 31st of July, 1856, he issued the first number of his
newspaper, the Republican Intelligencer. It contained sev
columns to the page, was handsomely printed, and furnished much
interesting and valuable reading. The advent of this journal in
this then new town, was an event of much importance to settlers^
and the^r«^ «A^tf^ struck off was sold at auction for $20. During
the day and evening a large number of subscriptions was handed
in, and three editions of the paper of 1,000 each were printed be-
fore the demand could be supplied. The Intelligencer grew to be
a power in the land. Before the year closed it was enlarged to
nine columns to the page. When first started, the politics of the
county were controlled by the Democrats. This was soon changed.
The Republicans came into power and have held control of the
county ever since.
In 1858 Mr. Hildreth was elected as a member of the State
Board of Education, representing a district composed of the coun-
ties of Allamakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Mitchell, Floyd, Chicka-
saw, Fayette, Clayton, Bremer, and Butler. This board held its
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HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 613
biennial session in the Capitol at Des Moines, and had control of
all the educational interests of the State, except private or secta-
rian institutions. As a member of this board, Mr. Hil-
dreth held a prominent and leading position, and the impress
of his mind and acts is still left upon the educational
laws and institutions of the State. Among the more impor-
tant results of his legislative efforts in behalf of education was
a law requiring the State University at Iowa City, to be opened to
young ladies and jfree alike to them, as well as young gentlemen.
This measure met with considerable opposition, both from the peo-
ple and the press of the State — it being the popular opinion that
it would never do to educate the sexes together. What an absur.
dity ! As if men and women were not created for each other's
society. The law prevailed, providing that the State University
shall be for the free education of the youth of Iowa of hoth sexes
upon equal terms in all respects ; and to-day no legislator dare
raise his hand or voice in favor of its repeal.
A few years later, when Mr. Hildreth was a member of the Gen-
eral Assembly, he was appointed by that body as chairman of a
select committee to investigate and report upon the affairs of the
university. He has said that one of the proudest days of his life
was when he was permitted to stand up in the university chapel,
in the presence of more than two hundred young lady students,
and nearly as many young gentlemen students, and, in the course
of an address requested by the President, explain how ithappened
that those young ladies were permitted to enjoy such exalted edu-
cational privileges. When the exercises had closed the grateful
thanks tendered him by those young ladies for his efforts in their
behalf, repaid him a thousand fold for all that he had done for them.
The officers and professors of the university assured him that the
plan of the co-education of the sexes was working well. A spirit
of emulation and rivalry was awakened which was profitable to
both, and there was no difficulty in regard to morals or general de-
portment.
In the spring of 1861, immediately after the war of the Rebell-
ion, Mr. Hildreth was appointed Draft Commissioner for Floyd
County, by Gov. S. J. Kirkwood, since known as Iowa's '*war
governor." Every able-bodied citizen, liable to bear arms, was
promptly enrolled and held subject to draft; whenever a drafl
should be ordered. This difficult and delicate business was trans-
acted faithfully and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
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614 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTr.
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Hildretli was elected to represent the
Fifty-fourth District of Iowa in the Tenth General Assembly. As
a legislator he acquitted himself with much credit and to the gen-
eral acceptance of his constituents. He was appointed Chairman
of the Committee on Schools and State University, and was also a
member of the Committee on Banks and Banking, and of the
Committee on Printing. Any one at all familiar with the work of
legislation can readily understand that these were very important
committees, and that the amount of labor incumbent upon them
was necessarily large.
Mr. Hildreth was very successful in carrying through the Legisla-
ture whatever measure he was interested in. Among the more
important, and one that proved of lasting benefit to his part of the
State, was a memorial to Congress asking for a grant of land to
aid in the construction of a railroad on or near the forty-third par-
allel of north latitude, and passing from McGregor, on the Missis-
sippi River, westward through his own town of Charles City.
Repeated eftorts had been made by others to obtain this land grant
and secure the building of this railroad, but all had signally failed
until the enterprise was taken hold of by Mr. Hildreth.
A copy of the memorial, above referred to, may be found in this
volume in that portion of the chapter on railroads which pertains
to the McGregor & Western Railroad, now known as the " Iowa
& Dakota Division of the Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road.
Hon. James Harlan, then a member of the United States Sen-
ate, introdnced a bill in the Senate, making a grant of lands as
prayed for in the memorial, which became a law, and as a result
the railroad was built and operated within a few years thereafter,
greatly to the convenience and benefit of the settlers along the
line of the road.
Mr. Hildreth was one of the incorporators of the Congregational
society of Charles City, of which church his wife was a member.
He is somewhat liberal in his religious views, and inclines to the
sentiments of the Unitarian wing of the New England Congre-
gationalist6, who are a very numerous and influential body of
Christians in New Englami. Both he and his wife are constant
attendants and supporters of the Congregational church.
On the first of October, 1870, Mr. Hildreth sold the Intdligen-
cer newspaper and his entire printing establishment to Messrs.
Dyke & Rowell, i^d retired from active business. Having only
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 615
himself and wife to provide for, he believed he had acquired a
competency for their remaining years. They have a pleasant
home, surrounded with many attractions and pleasing association s«
Here they are enjoying the fimits of an industrious and useful life
in the perusal of a well stocked library, and in social intercourse
with neighbors and friends.
In the spring of 1871 the First National Bank of Charles City
was organized. In this enterprise Mr. Hildreth took an active
part. From the beginning he has been one of its directors, and a
part of the time vice-president.
On the 25th of August, 1873, the Floyd County Savings Bank,
at Charles City, was incorporated. In this institution Mr. Hil-
dreth has ever been a stockholder and director. At the first meet-
ing of the board he was elected its president and has held that
oflSce to the present time.
For many years Mr. Hildreth has been a member of the School
Board of Charles City, and much of the time has been its presi-
dent, which office he now holds. His well known educational
tastes and proclivities, as well as business tact, admirably fit him
for that position. He was never an oflSce-seeker, and it is said that
he was never known to ask a man for his vote. His idea of pro-
priety in snch matters is, that the oflSce should seek the man and
not the man the office. As a business man he has the confidence
of all who know him, and no one can gainsay his integrity.
Eugene B. Dyke, editor of the Intblligenoeb, was born in
Parish, Oswego County, N. T., Jan. 11, 1842. He is of pure New
England stock, and his ancestors on both sides date back of the
Revolution, in which his great-grandfathers served as patriot sol.
diers. He came west with his parents in 1854, settling in Wal-
worth County, Wisconsin. Here his life was passed upon the farm
until 1861, when he entered the freshman class in Beloit College.
He was absent from school during a part of his course, serving as
a soldier in the Union army, in Company C, Forty-seventh Iowa
Infantry. Returning to Beloit, he graduated with honor in the
class of 1865. The next fall he commenced the study of law in
the office of Sanders & Ludington, Syracuse, N. T., where he was,
admitted to the bar in April, 1877. The next year was spent in
legal study with the late Judge Knowlton of Chicago. Then for
two years he occupied the position of superintendent of the graded
schools of Rockville, Ind., which position he resigned in 1870 to
88
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616 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
come to Charles City, where he had purchased the Intelligencer of
its founder, Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth. Since that time, except the
years 1874-'5, which he spent in California, his fortunes have been
identified with those of his paper, which is among the oldest and
most influential in the State. In December, 1873, Mr. Dyke was
married to Miss Emily 0. Gilbert, eldest daughter of Milo Gilbert,
Esq., of Charles City. They have two children, Harry N., and
Eva J., aged nine and six years respectively. Politically Mr. Dyke
is a radical Kepublican, and conducts his paper on that basis; but
at the same time, no man is more free and independent in criticis-
ing and censuring what he believes to be the faults and mistakes
of his own party. He has always had pronounced views on all
public questions, and has been free and fearless in expressing them.
THE FLOYD COUNTY ADVOCATE.
The JPloyd County Advocate^ was established in Charles City by
Valentine Baltuff, and first number sent out on Friday, Nov. 20,
1868, as a staunch Republican eight-column folio, half co-operative.
On Tuesday, June 22, 1869, he commenced issuing a semi-weekly,
continuing until Jan. 1, 1870, then discontinuing it and returning to
the weekly. On the 1st of April, 1873, C. A. Sloane bought the
paper, material and good-will of the office, and on the 14:th of
May, same year, with new presses, new type and steam-power
issued tiie Advocate with all home print and the largest paper in the
county, establishing temperance and religious departments, which
have been maintained ever since. Jan. 1, 1879, P. M. Wilbur
was associated as partner, continuing until Oct. 1, 1881, when he
retired and Mr. Slocum managed the paper alone. Through the
campaign of the Prohibition amendment, the Advocate was earnest
and diligent for its adoption, but remaining firm in its allegiance
to the Republican party. It represents the highest moral tone of
the community, having a principle to maintain in all its efforts.
Valentine Baltuff, founder of the JFloyd Guunty Advocate^
and grocer, Charles City, was born in New York City, Jan. 1, 1834;
his parents were Peter and Mary (Griffin) Baltuff. The former
was a native of Germany, and came to America when a young
man, locating in New York City, and engaged in merchant tailor-
ing. He was a member of the German Methodist and she of the
Episcopal church. They had a family of four sons and one daughter.
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTr. 617
Valentine, subject of this sketch, was the eldest. When three
years of age his father moved to Watertown, New York, and Val-
entine attended school until fifteen years of age, when he learned
the printer's trade, at which ho worked in New York, Wisconsin,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. At Lodi, Wisconsin, he
published a paper, the Lodi Herald^ and the Columbus Trom^
sci'ipt^ at Columbus, Wisconsin. In 1868, he sold out here and
came to Charles City and established the Ifloyd County Ad/oocate^
and conducted this until 1878, when he sold out on account of
poor health. In 1879, he purchased his present grocery store.
Mr. Baltuff married Miss M. Libbie McCall, at Waukesha, Wis.^
Sept. 26, 1859. She was born at Rushford, Allegany County,
N. Y., and was a daughter of Aneil and Mary E. (Griffith) McCall.
Mrs. BaltuflF is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. and
Mrs. Baltuff have had seven children, viz. : Harry A., born July 21,
1860, foreman of the job room of the Advocate in Charles City ;
Cora, Charles, Guy, Irvie, Nellie and Joseph, residing with their
parents. Mr. Baltuff is a member of St. Charles Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., No. 141, and of Almond Chapter, No. 52.
^C. A. Slocum was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Feb. 21,
1836. Was reared in Edmeston, Otsego County, N. Y., receiving
his education in the village schools and New Berlin, N. Y.,
Academy. In April, 1855, he came west to Wisconsin in company
with three other young men. He there worked at and learned the
carpenter's trade. February, 1859, went to St. Louis, Mo., working
at his trade until October, 1860, when he went to Madison Parish,
La., to work on plantation buildings, arriving there October 22,
and remaining until April 22, 1861, after the Rebellion had become
very exciting, and came to St. Louis on the last steamer north
from Vicksburg. After one week in that city of excitement came
to Charles City, arriving May 7, working at his trade through
the summer, and in the following winter teaching the higher of
the two town schools, Miss Ellen S. Wilbur (whom he married
Aug. 26, 1863), teaching the primary. In August, 1862 with E.
A. Reiniger commenced to raise a company for the Iowa Volun-
teers. At its organization he was elected Captain. The company
was made " G '' Company of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry,
and rendezvoused at Dubuque, la.; mustered in, Oct., 3, 1862.
The regiment had a varied experience in Northern Minnesota
first, then in the South and West, participating in many hard fights
and terrible battles. He was wounded April 9, 1864, with a piece
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618 HI8T0EY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
of shell at Simmesport, La., in the last battle of the Eed River
Expedition. Came home in the spring of 1865. Jan. 1,1866, went^
into County Treasurer's office as deputy, Remaining six years
Jan. 1, 1872, was inaugurated County Auditor, holding the office
until April, 1875, when he resigned, that he might give more time
to the Charles City Intelligencer which he purchased in February,
1875. His health becoming poor from overwork, sold the Intelli-
gencer in March, 1876. For two years after he devoted his time to
a large real estate business which had been growing from 1867.
In April, 1878, he bought the Floyd County Advocate^ for the
purpose of advancing if possible the cause of Prohibition, and at
the same time establishing himself in business which was to his
taste. He was an ardent champion for the Amendment in the
Republican party, and holds fast to the moral vantage gained. For
more than fourteen years he has been a member of the Congrega-
tional Church and Sunday-school. Three times he has served on
the Iowa and City Council, and in 1865 and 1866 was a member of
the Township School Board. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have four chil-
dren, three boys and one girl — W. Erskine, aged nearly six-
teen; Gurnsey M., aged twelve; Horace W., aged nine, and Faith
A., aged seven.
SHELL BOOK VALLEY GUARD.
This was a small-four page, seven-column weekly, started in
1872 by Edward Wood & Co. The paper was kept up for nearly
three years, the latter part of the time by Mr. Wood alone. It
was at first Republican in politics. After a time Mr. Wood was
CO verted to the Democracy, and the paper also became of that
faith. Mr. Wood then moved himself and paper to Decorah, Iowa.
He is now editing a paper in Fremont County. The Guard was
published in the old Masonic building, and was the precursor of
the Rockford Reveille.
BOOEFOBD REVEILLE.
The Reveille was started at Nora Springs, Thursday, Feb. 5,
1874. The proprietors were H. Gage. W. P. Gay lord and R. E.
Robinson, the last two of whom acted as editors. It appeared as
a four-page weekly, twenty-eight inches long, and eight columns to
the page. It showed in its first number evidence of Mr. Gay-
lord's editorial ability, and the editorials were from the first spicy
and vigorous. We give a few extracts from Mr. Gaylord's
salutatory.
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 619
" Impelled by considerations of a higher and more inspiring
character than those of private revenge or pecuniary gain, we
have determined to edit, print and publish a newspaper at Nora
Springs, Iowa. With us this is an experiment untried. To succeed
we are aware that it will require patience and energy, wisdom and
wit, time and cash, and a decent respect for the opinions of man
kind. Whether we possess any or all of these qualifications will
be for a discerning public to decide after we have had a fair trial
and have made a ftdl exhibit. In politics we are Republican. In
religion, liberal. We shall be radical in all things and neutral in
nothing; at all times avoiding an unjustifiable war on individuals
or combinations; but when assailed without caus^ or provocation,
we shall endeavor to leave the imprint of our teeth on our
assailant.
''We propose to receive blows as well as give them, and our col-
umns shall be ever free and our types ever ready to apologize or
explain.
" Eelying with unshaken confidence on the progressive intelli-
gence and appreciative characteristics of a Western people, and on
the continued and rapidly increasing prosperity of Nora Springs
and its beautiful surroundings, we have selected a press and
material inferior to none in this region, and intend to use them for
the glory of God and the good of mankind.
"We have been told that one paper in a town like this is enough.
So is one merchant, one lawyer, one doctor, one teacher, and one
wise-phool; but if others choose to ' cast in their nets,' we know of
no law this side of the Mosaic code to prevent it.
"We have been told that the sheriff will sell us out in less than a
year ; and that may be true, but if he advertises his ' sale ' in the
paper that has the 'largest circulation,' we shall 6now all about
it, and shall be there in person or by legal representatives. We
have been told that there is not news enough in a town like Nora
Springs to make a paper interesting. Of course, we do not expect
all the first-class sensations that horrify towns of older and larger
growth, but our friends should remember that Nora Springs is
rapidly growing, and as it grows olAer it will grow more and
more wicked, and wickedness is one of the elements of journalism.
" Should these fruitful sources fail, then, as a dernier resort^ we
shall fall back on, and turn our attention to, prophesying.
" If astronomers, after having suveyed the face of nature, can
predict with accuracy what the weather will be, then why cannot
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620 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
editors survey the face of men, and correctly prophesy what the
news will be ? News is what we must have, and if eveuts do not
'transpire rapidly enough for our use, we shall be obliged to draw
largely on the imagination, so that if we should fail as editors and
proprietors, we may succeed as prophets."
"Die Reveille bore from its first issue till that of May 23, 1878,
a very appropriate motto: '' Superior to adversity, equal to pros-
perity." It was discontinued by Robert Eggert at the same time
that he enlarged the paper.
Jan. 1, 1876, important changes were made in the management
of the Reveille. The paper was removed to Rockford, and its
name changed to the Rockford Reveille, R. E. Robinson was
the publisher, and Gaylord & Robinson's names appeared as
editors still. Mr. Robinson removed to Rockford with the paper,
and edited the local columns, and Mr. Gaylord remained at Nora
Springs, sending his editorials by mail each week. This removal
to Rockford seemed to be the best thing, under the circumstances,
as the Reveille had an active rival at Nora Springs, in the shape of
the Floyd County Press^ while Rockford, a place of about the
flame size and prospects as Nora Springs, had no paper at all, the
Shell Rock Valley (heard having been discontinued.
In April of the same year Captain Orlo H. Lyon, of Rockford,
purchased a one-half interest in the Reveille^ and his name ap-
peared as one of the editors. In August, 1876, Mr. Robinson re-
tired from the paper, having accepted a position in California.
Captain Lyon was then sole proprietor until July 26, 1877, when
he sold to Robert Eggert and H. B. Nies, the latter of whom had
been for some time foreman in the office. Captain Lyon was, until
this time, also.the actual editor, though until May 24, 1877, Mr.
Gaylord's name was inserted as associate editor and he kept up a
department on the second page headed "Nora Springs." Captain
Lyon had bought the paper when it was a losing concern, and
during his connection with it had, by energy and industry, converted
it into a paying paper. He had undertaken the work for the sake
of Rockford, believing that the town needed a paper and could sup-
port it, and he deserves great credit for his success. A fall biog-
raphical sketch of Captain Lyon is given elsewhere in this volume.
Eggert and Nies then conducted the Reveille until April, 1878,
when Mr. Nies retired, leaving Mr. Eggert sole editor and proprie-
tor. He enlarged the paper to nine columns to the page, May 23,
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HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY. 621
of the same year, and continued in charge of the paper until July,
1882, when he sold to F. L. Whitney & Co.
F. L. Whitney, editor and one of the proprietors of the Heveillej
was bom at Eockford, April 10, 1861. His parents were Lewellyn
and Pamelia (Otis) Whitney, the former a native of Maine, being
born at Corinna in that State, and the latter of New York, born at
Potsdam. Mr. Whitney was a millwright by occupation. He
was married March 25, 1852, at New Haven, Conn. He re-
moved from there to Morrisania, N. T., and from there in
March, 1847, to Rockford, Floyd County, Iowa. Mr. Whitney
has since been engaged in various pursuits, and still resides at
Rockford, with Mrs. Whitney. Mr. Whitney's parents still live,
at an advanced age, at Hampton, Franklin County; and Mrs. Whit-
ney's parents are also both alive, at Rochelle, 111.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have had six children born, of whom four
are now living — Ella Jeannette, was born Nov. 1, 1854, ancj died Oct.
12, 1855. Adella L. E., was born Nov. 5, and died at the age of
six years. Mary Estella, was born Dec. 3, 1858, and was married
to Edwin C. Hazlett, March 25, 1878. Francis L., our subject,
was born April 10, 1861. George F., was bom March 22, 1864,
and resides at home. John B., was born March 16, 1866, and is
also at home.
Francis L., the subject of this sketch, passed his early life in
Eockford, receiving his education in the public schools, and by
select reading at home. Aug. 9, 1876, he went to Hampton, Frank-
lin County, Iowa, and entered the office of his uncle, John C.
Whitney, editor and proprietor of the Hampton Chronicle, Here
he remained nearly six years; three years as apprentice, and three
as foreman. He is naturally devoted to the business, and
his experience derived in his uncle's office, together with his na-
tural capacity and and energy, are the best assurances of his suc-
cess in his new undertaking, the management of the HeveUle. He
bought this in partnership with his father in the early part of July,
1882, of Robert Eggert, and his first number was issued July 13.
•M-ATtTir.TC BOOK WEEKLY.
The southwestern part of Floyd County supports a newsy, read-
able paper of the above name at Marble Bock. It was established
at Marble Eock, in 1875, the first number being issued Aug. 12.
The proprietor and editor was L. J. Keyes. formerly of Waverly,
Bremer County, now well-known as the editor of the OddFdlow^
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HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Monitor^ published at Nora Springs, in this county. The paper
when started was, as now, a four-page weekly, the inside printed
on the "co-operative'' plan, and containing the usual miscella-
neous reading, and the outside, or first and fourth pages, contain*
ing the editorials and local items. There was a good showing oi
advertisements, almost all of them of firms in Marble Eock,
showing that the merchants of the village were sensible of the
necessity for cordially supporting a home paper, in order to build
up their already floarishing place.
The Weekly was at first 20 x 32, six columns to the page. In
1877 it was enlarged to seven columns to the page, and after a short
time it was again enlarged, this time to eight columns to the page,
the sheet being 24x36. The publishers at this time were George
H. Nichols & Co. Nov. 9, 1876, Mr. Keyes sold an interest in
the paper to George H. Nichols, who had taught school the year
previous at Marble Rock, but was formerly from Cedar Rapids.
The firm name then became Nichols & Keyes; Mr. Nichols
assuming the editorial management of the paper, and Mr. Keyes
confining himself to the mechanical part of the paper, and to job
work. The firm placed a motto at the head of their sheet — ''With
malice toward none, and charity for all." This motto has been
kept to the present time. Mr. Nichols was a writer of some
ability, and a ready thinker. His "editorial bow," which ap-
peared in the first number after he assumed charge, is here given:
"Here I am, five feet ten in my stockings, a native of the
Empire State. I was bom pretty, but I lost my front teeth at an
early age, and never folly recovered from the deformity. My run-
ning weight is one hundred and forty pounds avordupois, and
chuck full of newspaper grit, but very modest. I don't know
enough to write as funny as ' Orpheus C. Kerr ' and ' Artemus
Ward,' and after much study I am forced to the conclusion that
^Nasby's' early education has been neglected; in fact, he can't
spell, and of course won't do for a model, so our readers will have
to take it my way. Politically, we shall ever pin our faith, to the
principles promulgated by the Republican party, and while we
may admit, that the party has been guilty of errors, we can never
forget that its party work has been graAd and triumphant. It has
broken the shackles of four millions of human beings. It has
given us the best currency in the civilized world. It has proven
that international arbitration is productive of better results than
court chambers. That the declaration of independence made by
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 628
onr forefathers, was no idle boast. It has promptly brought to
justice, without regard to rank or station, all who would be leeches
upon the country's revenue, and 'with malice toward none, and
charity for all' we will stand by the principles so ably expounded
by our martyred President. To the press of northern Iowa we
would say, that it is with no small degree of hesitation, or light
estimate of the duties devolving upon us, that we assume this p>
sition. It has been truly said, that as is the press so are the peo-
ple. That Iowa, so young in years, takes front rank with older
States in commerce, agriculture and education, is largely owing to
the fact that her press has been backed by men with grit and brains*
Men who know the right; and dare to do it. May our "Faber"
never do aught to tarnish Iowa journalism. To our immediate pat-
rons, we would say, that the generous manner in which you have
given your influence and money in support of the Weekly^ proves
that yon have intelligence to appreciate a good thing, and the grit
to hold on to it. We shall strive to keep it up to its present standard.
We propose to give you a newsy paper, ^ red hot, and a heatin' ' —
of course you furnish the fat. We will ever be foand pushing to
the front home men, and local interests; always striving to be on
the side of right, for right-eousness' sake. G. H. Nichols."
The Weekly was continued by Nichols & Keyes, until April 3,
1877, when the partnership was dissolved, and L. J. Keyes alone
published the paper during the month of April. May 3, how-
ever, another change was made. Messrs. Nichols & Keyes formed
another partnership, and arranged to carry on two papers — the
WeeJdy^ at Marble Rock, under the firm name of George H.
Nichols & Co., and the Telephone^ at Nora Springs, under the
firm name of L. J. Keyes & Co. Mr. Keyes then went to Nora
Springs, and Mr. Nichols remained at Marble Rock. After a
short time this arrangement was discontinued, and each became
sole proprietor of the paper of which he was editor. From the
issue of May 3, 1877, the following valedictory of Mr. Keyes is
taken, and also the spicy salutatory of Mr. Nichols :
*'It will be seen by this issue of the Weekly that we have surren-
dered the editorial chair to Professor Nichols and expect soon to
' take up our bed and walk.' Flattering inducements have per-
suaded us to this move, and though much we regret to leave our
present location, we feel it an urgent duty, and reluctantly say the
words commonly used by friends at parting, 'good-bye.' We
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624 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
shall ever look back to Marble Rock with pleasant recollections,
trusting that we go with the best wishes of many friends. Pro-
fessor Nichols will again enliven the pages of the Weekly with
spicy editorials, and with his business qualifications will extend
the circulation much beyond its present limits.
" Respectfully, L. J. Keyes. "
" With this number ot the Weekly we again take up the pen edi-
torial, and we propose to do our level best to make the Marble
Rock Weekly a credit to our town, and an honor to the press of
Northern Iowa. We don't propose to tell why we severed our con-
nection with the Weekly a few months since, nor why we now re-
turn to its sanctum^ as we don't consider it anybody's business.
We do intend to give our many patrons the local, state, national
and foreign news, fresh and sparkling. To war against wrong
and fight for the right. " The greatest good to the greatest num-
ber" will be our motto. In taking the chair so long and so faith-
fully occupied by Brother Keyes, we realize that we have work to
do, if we would retain the prestige for the Weekly it has so hon-
orably gained under his management, but our trust is in God, and
our faith in the good people of Marble Rock and vicinity is
unbounded. We ask and expect the continued support that has
been so generously given to its former management, and with it,
we will ever labor to make the Weekly a welcome visitor to our
patrons."
Mr. Nichols continued in charge of the Weekly until July 11,
1878, when he retired, on account of being elected County Super-
intendent of Schools. He served in this capacity four years, and
was then appointed Deputy State Superintendent of Public In-
struction. He is now at Des Moines, in his official capacity. Mr.
Nichols made the Weekly much more of a success, financially,
than it had been before. He increased considerably the circula-
tion of the paper, and laid the foundation of the popularity which
has been so steadily maintained since by Mr. Nies, his successor.
Mr. Nichols said, on leaving the Weekly:
*'With this number of the Weekly we sever our connection with
it as editor and proprietor, which has existed so pleasantly for the
past eighteen months. To the business men of Marble Rock I
would say that for the generous manner in which you have aided
me, I shall ever feel grateful. To the hundreds of subscribers,
with whom my relations have been pleasant, I would say that I
shall ever look back to the times that I have talked to you through
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HISTOEY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 625
these columns, with a consciousness that I did the best I could
under the circumstances, and that when I erred, it was an error
of the head and not of the heart. Mr. Mes, my successor, whose
paper you now hold in your hand, needs no introduction from me.
He has been for years a resident of your county. He is by choice
and profession a printer, and as such has labored among yon for
the past ten years. It will be his ambition to do for you what I
would have wished to do, — give you a paper that will be second to
none in the Shell Rock Valley. In closing, I would bespeak for
him the same courtesies that have so kindly been bestowed upon
me. Geobge H. Nichols.''
Mr. Henry B. Nies, the present editor and proprietor, was born
near Frankfortv on the Maine, Germany, Feb. 1, 1854. His pa-
rents were George and Barbara (Winkler) Nies, natives of the
same place. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and emigrated
to this country in 1864, settling at Rockville, Conn., with his wife
and four children. The family resided there about four years, and
then moved westward, locating at Charles City. Here Mr. Nies
lived, following his regular occupation as shoemaker, until the fall
of 18T7, when he again removed to Dallas, Texas. Here he died,
after a week's iUness, July 31, 1878. Mrs . Nies still lives at Dallas.
They had a family of eight children, six hi whom are living. Of
these, the second, George E. Nies, is at Waco, Texas; a telegraph
operator by occupation. He was married May 3, 1882, to Dora
L.,Blandin, of Fort Worth. Anna, Lizzie, Leopold and Carrie L.
are all at home with Mrs Nies, at Dallas.
The subject of this memoir, Henry B. Nies, is the oldest of th e
family. He attended the public schools in Germany four years,
coming with Jjis parents to America at the age of ten. At Rock-
ville, Conn., he attended school for a while, and then was employ-
ed in woolen-mills until the family came to Charles City, in 1868.
Here he entered the public schools for a few months, and then
entered the office of the JPloyd County Advocate^ just started at
Charles City by Valentine Baltuff . With Mr. Baltuff he remained as
apprentice two and a half years, and then attended a normal school
at Galena, 111., for a year. Thence he went to Albert Lea, Minn.,
and was employed as compositor in the office of the Albert Lea
Enterprise, In August, 1872, he became a partner in this paper,
with which he was connected about nine months. The Enterprise
proved a failure, financially, and soon after Mr. Nies sold his in-
terest, the paper was sold under foreclosure. Mr. Nies says that
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636 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUIHT.
from his notes and debts, which accumulated during these nine
months, he finally realized '^a jack-knife, three books and a rubber
ball."
Thence he went to Wells, Minn., where he had charge of the
Wells Atlas for six months. The next office in which Mr. Nies was
employed was that of the Nora Springs Reveill% with which he
became connected soon after it was started, in the summer of 1874.
He was at first foreman in this office; but when O. H. Lyon sold the
paper (which had been moved to Rockford, and was now the 'Sio(^'
ior A Reveille)^ in the fall of 1877, he became a partner of Robert
Eggert in the management of that weekly. The firm of Eggert &
Nies continued until May, 1878, when Mr. Nies sold his interest to
Mr. Eggert, and went into the patent right business. This did not
prove a fortunate investment, and in July, 1878, he bought out
Gteorge EL. Nichols becoming sole proprietor and editor of the Mar-
ble Bock Weekly.
Mr. Nies was married Sept. 4, 1875, to Elizabeth O. Knapp,
a daughter of Wm. B. Knapp, of Bockford. They have been
blessed with three children — Frank K. born June 6, 1876; George
E., born Feb. 1, 1878, and Harriet Blanche, born Sept. 13, 1879.
Mr. Nies is an earnest Bepublican, politically, and freely works
for that party in politicml campaigns, with the columns of the
Weekly, He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is also
an Odd Fellow and a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor.
NOBA SPRINGS TELEPHONE.
This paper was started in the spring of 1877, the first number
appearing May 31. The publishers were L. J. Keyes & Co., and
L. J. Keyes and W. P. Gaylord were the editors. The TdepJione
was a four page weekly, eight columns to the page, the page being
26 X 19 inches in size. The editorials and selections appeared on
the first page; the locals on the fourth. The columns show a
goodly supply of advertisements, mostly of different business
houses in Nora Springs. The motto at the head of the sheet was
" Equal to our business, but not above it," which motto appeared
regularly until April 14, 1881, when it was discontinued. The
following salutatory set fourth the principal on which the Tele-
phone was started:
The goddess of fortune who leads men on to their destiny, has
whispered in our ears, and in compliance with her mandates we
find ourselves located in the thriving town of Nora Springs. We
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mSTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY. 627
are, in a measure, among strangers, who will intelligently jadge us
by our works, and upon which foundation we establish or destroy
our reputation. The fall force of this statement is strongly im-
pressed upon our mind as we take up the pencil to introduce our-
selves to the public in the capacity of a newspaper publisher. We
shall, in onr editorial labors at this place, aim to strengthen the
bonds of friendship between neighbors; more strongly establish the
reputation of our business men; encourage the orderly and good
in their task of improving the morals of our community; take a deep
interest in the educational a£fairs of our town and surrounding coun-
try; discountenance wrong in any form; collect and publish the
current events of the day, and ever seek to elevate the high repu-
tation Nora Springs has already established. We are not here for
the purpose of "running" any person, or using any ''foul" means to
deprive them of the fruits of honest toil. We court peace and
friendship with all mankind, believing that our short lives can be
spent to better advantage than in quarreling with our neighbors.
With this view we shall endeavor to exclude from the columns of
the Telephone^ so far as pessible, anything of a personal character
that will have a tendency to mar the harmony of friendship. We
shall try to so represent Nora Springs through the columns of this
paper, that people in the East who are desirous of seeking homes
in the West, may be induced to settle among us and enjoy the ad-
vantages of our town and county. Our interests are here, our prop-
erty is here, and we expect to make and spend our money here; to
live, enjoy life and be one of the citizens. The town is fast in-
creasing in population, and business rapidly growing; in fact, it
presents more life and activity than any town we have visited west
of the Mississippi. With these facts before us, we shall labor for
home interests and make the Telephone an instrument for convey-
ing the credit Nora Springs deserves to a great distance. Politi-
cally, we are extremely radical only when the honor and reputation
of our great nation is endangered. We shall adhere to the princi-
ples of the Republican party, and yet feel it our duty to work
against corruption and frauds that may be resorted to by unprinci-
pled politicians of any party. We invite you to call at our office
and get acquainted with us; our latch string is always on the out-
side, and the Keyea on the inside.
In April, 1878, Dr. S. G. Blythe purchased a half interest in the
Telephone^ after which time the names of Keyes and Blythe ap-
peared as editors and proprietors. The paper was published regu-
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HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
larlj until Jan. 5, 1882, on which date the last lelepTume was issued.
The following valedictory gives the reasons for the discontinuance
of the lelephone^ and the establishment of the Monitor:
This number of the Telephone will be the last of its publica-
tion. It only remains for its editors to say farewell to its friends
and well-wishers of the past four years, and good-bye to its enemies.
The former we regret to sever our relations with, for they have been
most pleasant; the latter we leave without malice or ill-will, for at
most our enemities have amounted to but little more than differ-
ences of opinion, which men ought to be able to tolerate without
personal quarrels.
Our exchanges we part from with deep regret, for they have
become a part of our every -day life, and we shall miss them as we
would absent friends. For one and all we have kind thoughts and
wish them God-speed.
fhe causes that led to a suspension of this publication are
manifold and some of them purely personal. Two of them only
shall be named, and these will suffice to prove our action.
First, we suspend publication for lack of support. As is well
known by any who have experimented in this direction, the sub-
scription list of a country paper does not amount to much in a
compensative way, and in a community where tradesmen and business
men do not appreciate the advantages to be derived from liberal
advertising, a local paper cannot live. We have no disposition to
publish a paper at a loss. Indeed, without remunerative patron-
age the incentive to make a paper worthy is wanting.
Second, we suspend publication because a more favorable pros-
pect opens before us in another direction. The office will not
leave Kora Springs. With added material and facilities for doing
first-class work, we remain and invite those who desire iob work to
call and examine our facilities and prices.
On January 19 will be issued from this office the first number
of the Odd-Fellows* Monitor^ a paper which, while specially in
the interest of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, will be made
a good family and general newspaper. Each subscriber of the
Telq[>Jione will receive a sample copy of the new paper, and while
we do not expect an extensive local patronage, we shall be glad to
welcome any of our old friends, who incline to subscribe for the
Monitor,
And now a word further : All persons who have overpaid on
the Telephone beyond Jan. 1, 1883, will, on application at this
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 629
office, receive every cent that is dne them. All persons indebted
to the Telephone must call and settle, or pay costs of collection.
Good-bye and farewell !
The Monitor is now issued regularly every Thursday, as an eight-
page weekly, devoted entirely to the order of Odd Fellows. Its
circulation extends to nearly every part of Iowa. In its present
organization, L. J. Keyes and S. G. Blythe are the publishers ; S.
G. Blythe is the editor, and Rev. B. F. Snook, of Cedar Rapids,
associate editor. J. L. Wallace is also on the staff of the mechani-
cal part of the work.
Luther J. Keyes was born in De Kalb, St. Lawrence County,
N. T., April 17, 1839. His parents were L. H. and E. A. (Phelps)
Keyes, the former a shipbuilder by occupation. He resided in
New York until 1850, when he removed to La Porte, Ind. Here
he remained two years, following the trade of cabinet making, and
then removed again to Sycamore, 111. At Sycamore he resided
six years, as carpenter and joiner. From thence he removed with
his family to Beloit, Wis., where he remained one year. He then
lived in Durand, 111., for the next five years. Thence he removed
to Waverly, Iowa, where he died, in 1871. His wife still lives,
being now at Darlington, Wis., with her oldest son. Mr. and
Mrs. Keyes hud a family of eight children, all of whom are now
living. Josiah E. lives at Darlington, Wis., and is a millwright
by occupation ; has had three children. Esther M. was married
to Hiram Humphrey, and lives in Minnesota ; has five children.
Emily C. was married to John L. Hastings, and lives in Pecaton-
ica, HI.; has four children. The fourth of the family is Luther
J. The fifth, Warren W., lives at Darlington, Wisconsin ; is a
carpenter by occupation, and has a wife and two children. Sarah
A., the next in order, was married to Lewis Norton, and lives at
Durand, 111. ; has six children. David B., the seventh, is a farmer
at Laona, HI.; has been married, and has two children. The
youngest of the family, Frederick D., is a farmer at Davis, HI. ;
has a wife and one child.
The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until he was of
age, attending the common schools of the various places in which the
family resided, and the high school at La Porte, Ind. At the age
of fourteen he engaged as a cabinet-worker, which he followed
two years. He then worked for a time as carpenter and joiner, at
Sycamore, 111., and as painter, at Beloit, Wis.
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630 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
In 1861 he enlisted at Durand, 111., in Company 0, Fifty-fifth
Illinois Infantry, and served through the war. During the four
years of the Rebellion he served in every important battle in which
the Western army was engaged, and was under fire one hundred
and twenty days. Enlisting as a private, he was steadily promoted
until when mustered as a veteran, he held the rank of Second Ser-
geant. Shortly after re-enlistment he was promoted to the First
Lieutenancy of his company, and placed in charge of Company D,
which he commanded until within three months of the close of the
war. He was then appointed Quartermaster, in which capacity he
served until mustered out, Aug. 24, 1865. During the time he
was in command of Company D, he was recommended by his Colo-
nel, T. J. Andres, for a Captain's commission in said company,
which was refused by Governor Oglesby on the ground that he
could not transfer a man from one company to another, to be the
commander of the latter. The recommendation had been made in
accordance with a custom of the preceding Governor, Eichard
Yates, to allow Colonels to recommend any promotions and dis-
tributions of officers which they deemed best for the good of the
service ; but this rule Governor Oglesby did not recognize.
On returning from the war, Mr. Keyes worked at cabinet-mak-
ing at Waverly, Iowa, until the fall of 1876. He then removed to
Nashua, Chickasaw County, and had charge of a furniture store
for some ten months. He removed next to Marble Eock, Floyd
County, and established the Marble Rock TF^^Hy, a sketch of which
paper is given on another page. He remained at Marble Eock,
with that paper, until the spring of 1877, when he again removed
to Nora Springs, and established the Nora Springs Telephone. He
has continued in the newspaper business ever since, all through the
career of the Telephone^ and is now working as hard as ever on the
Monitor.
He was married Dec. 25, 1875, at Durand, Illinois, to Miss
Esther A. Lancaster, of that place. They have no family.
Mr. Keyes is, politically, a Eepublican. He has always been a
temperance worker, and in the spring of 1882, took a decided stand
in favor of the prohibitory amendment. He is a member and a P.
G. of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. E.
NORA SPRINGS ADVERTISER.
This is a lively little sheet at Nora Springs, issued every Tues-
day by F. M. Hubbard. It was started in the summer of 1882,
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flIBTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY. 631
the first nnmber appearing Jaly 4. The sheet is in size sixteen
by twenty-two, four pages, four columns to the page. The paper
has already achieved a remarkable success, and is soon to be en-
larged. Mr. Hubbard is a man of energy, and whatever he takes
hold of is bound to succeed.
THE MONTHLY GEOLOGIST.
This little sheet was started at Hampton, Franklin County, la.,
by Whitney Bros., in October, 1881. It was then nine inches long
and six inches wide, four pages, two columns to the page. Three
numbers were published at Hampton, and then its publication was
continued at Rockford in an enlarged form. It is now four pages,
three columns to the page, and each page is eleven inches by seven
and a half inches. It appears about the middle of the month, and
its subscribers are in such institutions as the School of Mines at
Golden, Col., Iowa State University at Iowa City, and other
schools in the country. The paper presents a very good appear-
ance, and is a credit to the young men who manage it. They have
a geological cabinet, and exchange specimens with all who are in-
terested in this beautiful science.
FLOYD COUNTY PRESS.
In the spring of 1872 a Milwaukee job printer concluded to see
what there was ''beyond the Mississippi," with the double object
of visiting friends and seeking a location for a newspaper. Riding
or walking, for printers sometimes do ride, he reached Nashua, in
Chickasaw County. Leaving there in the morning, he walked to
Marble Rock, and took the cars to Nora Springs.
That day, in the latter part of May, was an eventful one, in the
history of one town at least. Soon after leaving Nashua, a light,
drizzling rain set in, gradually increasing, until the printer was
soaking wet, and, to use his own expression, on reaching Marble
Rock he "leaned against the depot to let the water drain off."
At Nora Springs, with the help of a partial suit in his traveling
bag, and some clothing borrowed from boarders, he was made
more comfortable outwardly, and added to his inward comfort by
a meal at the "Rock Grove House," while his clothing was drying
beside the kitchen fire.
The next morning he '^ talked paper " to some of the few business
men of the town, and went farther west. Returning soon after,
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m HISTORY OF FLOID COUNTY.
he found that a subscription list had been started to raise funds
with which to guarantee a year's support for a paper; and he re-
turned to Milwaukee with the understanding that he would be on
hand as soon as possible, after the proper sum was pledged.
On the 18th of September, 1872, he returned to Kora Springs,
built an office, 14x16 feet in size, mostly with his own hands, and
in the first week of the following month issued the first paper ever
printed in the town. In size it was a four-column quarto, the in-
side being printed by the Chicago Newspaper Union, and contained
four pages of home matter. In 1874 the paper was enlarged to a
six-column quarto, which size it still maintains. The motto of
the paper is: "It takes Grit to run a Newspaper," and it is still
published by the same party, and on the same ground as the first
number.
NOBA SPRINGS BEPITBLIOAN.
This paper was started in the summer of 1871 by Mr. H. J.
Stalker and was printed a part of the time at Mason City and part
of the time at Algona. Without means to put in a press and ma-
terial, the gentleman found the patronage insufficient to meet the
expenses, and abandoned the enterprise after a few months.
THE FLOYD COUNTY 8TANDABD
Was first started at Rockford, la., in January, 1881, by J. B.
Adams, its present editor and proprietor. It is an eight-column
folio. The paper and office were removed to Charles City in Febru-
ary, 1882, and occupy the upper floor of Maliara's Building. It
has a good job office in connection.
Mr. J. B. Adams was born in Worcester, Mass., June 17, 1851;
son of N. M. and Emma A. (Child) Adams^ the former a native of
Maine, and Mrs. Adams from Massachusetts. When our subject
was one year old, his parents removed to Rockiord, III., remaining
one year. Then went to Mason City, la., where they still reside.
Mr. Adams received his education in Iowa, having attended the
university at Grinnell and the State University it Iowa City. He
was married in November, 1872, to Miss "V. O. Pushee, of Wis-
consin. Politically, he is a Democrat, and his paper is conducted
on the principles of that party.
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mSTOBY OF FLOYD OOUMTT. 888
WB8TBBN PATBIABOH.
This paper made its appearance at Charles City, Oct. 9, 1878,
nnder the management of C. S. Otis and S. P. Leland. The latter
sold out to Charles McDonnell, and Mr. Ottis suddenly and mys-
teriously disappeared, and the*paper fell into the hands of A. P.
Holmes, who in turn sold to John Bradley. It was a handsome
aix-column folio, edited with fair ability, in the interest of the
Odd Fellow's order. Its existence lasted but a few years.
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CHAPTEK XV.
EMINENT DEAD.
Some account of the most noted citizens of this county, who
are now deceased, will be expected in this volume. The most ot
such are noticed in other parts of the work, especially in the chap-
ter entitled "The Courts and the Bar;" others, whose sketches
could not well be otherwise classified in this volume, we give some
account of in this chapter.
HON. W. p. GATLOED.
The ancestors of the Gaylord family originated in Normandy,
Prance. The first name appears in Johnville's memoirs of Louis
IX, in the thirteenth century. Some of the Gaylords moved to
England in 1560 or '51. William Gaylord was a native of Exeter,
England, and came to Massachusetts in the ship ''Mary and John,"
arriving in Boston Bay, May 30, 1630, and settled in Dorchester.
He died in 1673. Then followed four generations, thus: Walter,
Joseph, Joseph, Jr., and Samuel, W. P.'s great-grandfather,
born in 1709, who had a son Agur, a grand-father born 1730, died
1818, aged 88 years, and who settled in Norfolk, Conn. His
brothers and sisters were Justus, Anna Mamre, Joseph, Thankful,
Samuel, Timothy, Giles, and Esther.
Agur Gaylord had two wives, had two daughters by his
first wife, and then married a widow Jerome, by whom he had
thre(3 children, namely: Sarah, Esther, and Samuel. The latter
was born Jan. 6, 1786, in Norfolk, Conn., and died in summer of
1861, aged 75 years. His wife's mother's maiden name was Betsey
Jackson, bom in Brookfield, Conn. She died in July, 1859.
Samuel Gay lord's children were eight in number, as follows:
Jane, Lyman, J. Jay, Wilberforce P., Ed son, Jackson, Harriet
and Johnson. Deaths — Harriet, Jane, Wilberforce.
W. P. Gaylord was bom in New Milford, Conn. Sarah Eliza-
beth, his wife, was bom in Stillwater, New Jersey. Their chil-
dren were as follows: Buena Vista, bom Jan. 9, 1847, in Sussex
County, N. J., died Sept 25, 1849, in Green, N. J.; Mary E., born
Feb. 18, 1850, in Green, N. J., died Sept. 29, 1871, in Nora
(634)
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HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY. 636
Springs; Harriet Aurelia, bom Dec. 25, 1858, in Frelinghuysen,
N. J. Buena Vista 2d, bom Feb. 22, 1856, in Rock Grove,
la. Laura A., bom July 23, 1858, in Rock Grove, la, died
Jan. 15, 1865, in Rock Grove. George, bora Feb. 25, 1861, in
Rock Grove; Chloe Irena, bom Feb. 21, 1863, in Rock Grove.
Jennie Bell, bom Aug. 19, 1865, in Nora Springs. Minnie Eliza-
beth, born June 27, 1869, near Nora Springs.
Mrs. W. P. Gaylord's father's name was Joseph Slater, bora in
Sussex County, N. J., September, 1803, and died March 1, 1869.
Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Primrose. They had five
children — ^Harriet, died iDec. 2, 1877; Sarah E.; James Britten;
George A., died July, 1869; Syl vesta J.
In the spring of 1854 he came to Floyd County stayed until
early in the fall when he went to Wisconsin, returning again in
about a year. December 5, 1865, he was joined by his wife and
family, whom he had left in New Jersey, and who came to share
with him his Western home, and the vicissitudes of pioneer life in
the wild region of Northern Iowa.
He located on the Shell Rock, near where Nora Springs now
stands. Soon after settling there he commenced the practice of
law, and was admitted to the bar at Mason City about the time ot
the organization of Cerro Gordo County. He was always a
prominent actor in nearly all the history of the county. Being a
man of great activity and perseverance, he was ever one of the
foremost men in all matters affecting his county and its welfare.
During the early days of the county a very bitter county-seat war
was waged between the east and west sides. Prominent among
the leaders was Mr. Gaylord in the interest of the west side.
After they had gained the victory, a celebration of the event was
held at the geographical center of the county, to rejoice over the
event The speech of congratulation by Mr. Gaylord was one ot
the wittiest and best of his life. So good-humored and jolly was
the speech that it tended largely to disarm those of the other side.
Mr. Gaylord, in his business life and relations, held a high posi-
tion. In social life he was always the center of admiring friends.
In many respects he was peculiar and odd, and yet in all his
composition and nature he was the type of a true man. Noble-
hearted and kind in his nature. Beneath his everyday life lay a
substratum of good humor and love of jollity that bubbled out in
all his writings and conversation. He was a good judge of human
nature, and always formed an opinion of a person at the first meet-
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638 msTOBT OP floyd oountt.
ing. Last winter, while discussing physiognomy, he remarked
that he rarely had occasion to change first impressions of a person.
His firmness, when he believed he was right, amounted almost
to dogmatism, and yet no man was more ready to yield to the
proof of a fallacious position.
He was elected a member of the Eleventh General Assembly
for Floyd and Oerro Gordo counties, and of the Twelfth for Floyd
' — the Eleventh Assembly, re-districting the State, severing Oerro
Qt)rdo and Floyd counties. Of the Thirteenth General Assembly
he was enrolling clerk. For several years he was Postmaster at
Nora Springs, resigning the oflSce to accept the position of State
Senator for the Forty-sixth District in the Eighteenth General
Assembly, where he served one session, with great credit. The
bills which he originated and sustained to a passage, and the posi-
tion which he promptly took on the woman suffrage question made
his name familiar throughout the State* and the strictures of his
brethren of the press on the latter point were boldly and ably met,
and in a tone which promised animated discussion had he lived to
again meet that subject in the Senate. At the re-assembling of
the Senate, resolutions of respect and condolence, in honor of his
sterling merits, were offered by Senator Wholey, as follows :
" Re8olvedj That this preamble and resolutions be spread upon
the journal; that the secretary of the Senate be, and is hereby,
directed to forward a copy of the same to the family of the de-
ceased; and
" Hesolvedy as a further mark of respect to the deceased Senator^
the Senate do now adjourn."
In all assemblies or gatherings, when present, he would draw
about him throngs of eager listeners to his fund of stories and
anecdotes. Among his neighbors, he was a leader who was ever
regarded as a safe counselor in matters of law, business, public
policy and politics. For the past ten years, he has been connected
with the newspapers of his county, either as editor or proprietor.
For the past three or four years, he occupied the position of ed-
itor of the Nora Springs Telephone^ not for a salary or pay, but
because he loved the work. His pen was racy, spicy and vigorous.
When he applied the lash to an opponent, there was always a
sting to it, and yet so tempered with good nature that he rarely
made an enemv of his adversary. He was also correspondent for
the Advocate^ and Intelligencer^ of Oharles Oity, the Rockford
jRevezUe and other papers. In style he was easy and direct. Fear-
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mSTOBY OF FLOYD OOUNTT. 687
less in his criticism, severe in his denunciation, bat always fair
and just as to the rights of persons — always condemning wrong
and applauding right.
It is not known at exactly what date Mr. Gaylord conceived the
idea of publishing a history of Floyd County, but it is certain that
he had for ten or twelve years previous to his death been interested
in the early history of the county, and that he spent much of his
leisure time during these years on the work. He also wrote many
detached sketches, some of which were published. October 16,
1874, he announced through the columns of the Reveille^ of which
he was then editor, that in the next issue he would begin the pub-
lication of a history of Floyd County. He did so, giving a briet
sketch of Rock Grove Township, and then a sketch of the early
settlers of the township. His history ran along through eight or
ten numbers, but included only matter pertaining to that one town-
ship. He was dissuaded from publishing any more in the papers,
on the ground that it would be better arranged, and more highly
prized, if he would give his whole energies to completing the his-
tory, and then have it published in book form.
Mr. Gaylord was always frank in avowing his opinion upon
mooted questions, even at the risk of losing in popularity. In re-
gard to his religious views, he was equally honest; and, however
much others may differ from him, they must credit him with being
perfectly conscientious in his belief. To show his stand on certain
points, the following is condensed from an editorial in the Nora
Springs Heveille^ Sept. 11, 1874, at which time Mr. Gaylord
was connected with that paper as editor:
" Last Sunday morning and evening, we heard two most extra-
ordinary and impressive sermons, from Rev. H. W. Bennett, of
the M. E. church. In the morning he welted and whaled the
church members over the head with the gospel cudgel, till there
was not a spot as big as one's hand, where a blow had not fallen.
We should suppose that the members and backsliders would after
a while learn to dodge the blows aimed at their heads ; but prob-
ably each for himself thinks the language used applied to the others,
and probably each to himself says: 'How Brother Bennett gives
it to the hypocrites and backsliders over in the other corner of the
house.'
" But none of these admonitory thunderbolts are ever aimed at
our heads. We don't belong to that class of sinners spoken of in
the words of the text. It is our neighbor. It is that old gray-
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688 HISTOBY OF FLOYD OOITNTY.
headed sinner over in the corner ; that woman ovef yonder with
pendants swinging in her ears, and streamers flying from her bonnet.
" From all the preaching we have heard from our boyhood, we
conclude that ^ faith' is an essential article to have, and we some-
times wish we had it in larger quantities. We are willing to be-
lieve everything for the sake of eternal happiness, but we find it
very difficult to believe anything of which our judgment is not con-
vinced. We may shut our eyes and wish it were so ; we may even
say we believe it is so ; and yet there is something that silently
says to us, 'I doubt it.' We would give all the old clothes we
have, and divide the new ones with any one who will instruct us
how to believe whatever we desire to believe. It matters but little
whether what we would believe is true or false, so long as it brings
peace and contentment. That is what we are after. To be a hypo-
crite we cannot To say we believe what does not seem to us to
be true, we cannot. To pray when we have no faith that our pray-
ers will be answered, we cannot. The future to us is still a mys-
tery. We wish it were otherwise, even were it a delusion."
Another extract from Gaylord's writings, showing his religious
position, is taken from the Telephone:
" We would not give a doUai^to better know that there is a God;
a supreme ruler; a designer; a God infinite in power, and wisdom,
and goodness, and perfection, for we believe that now; but we vnU
give one hundred dollars to any one who will convince us that there
is or is not an individual hereafter for man; a hereafter where we
shall know ourselves as we know each other here. To accomplish
this, we are willing to read any reasonable amount of books, and
listen to any argument in or out of the pulpit. We want to believe
this, and have tried to believe it from our childhood, but our faith
does not grow stronger with our years, and we cannot avoid it
However, we advise others who can, to so believe and act as though
they were in earnest This saying that we believe there is a God,
a devil, or a legion of devils, a heaven and a hell, and then acting
as though there were neither, will bring remorse sooner or later.
When we are true to ourselves and our neighbors we shall be true
to God."
He frequently discussed death and the future. Often did he say
that the only thing he feared or dreaded was death. The future
was a mystery to him, one of which he could not form a satisfac-
tory opinion. His idea was that God is a part of man and man
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 680
is a part of God. So closely connected that neither can get along
without the other. He was a very decided believer in the pre-ex-
istence of man and at death he will retarn to his former habitation
of the realms of God.
His. death was almost instantaneous and probably painless. In
the quietude of his home and the bosom of his family the dread
angel, who must sooner or later visit all mankind, came unannounced
and unheralded. He was in robust health up to the very moment
of his decease. In the midst of the strength and vigor of man-
hood, and in the rapid development of an onward and upward ca-
reer, was he cut down.
On that day of his death, in his usual off-hand, friendly manner,
he was meeting his associates, throwing a jest at one, wrestling
with imother, and exhibiting a vitality unequaled by most men.
During the evening he was as. well as usual, and at about half
past nine o'clock retired for the night. In fifteen or twenty minutes
Mrs. Gaylord also retired. Soon after getting into bed she dis-
covered that something unusual was the matter with Mr Gaylord.
Before she could procure a light and call for help, he was dead. An
autopsy on the body by Drs. S. G., and T. D. Blythe showed that
the cause of death was heart disease.
Senator Gaylord was a self-made man, he was of the people, wit h
the people and for the people in every enterprise, improvement
and measure. His record we are not writing for the benefit of the
living; it is engraved on the hearts and memories of all his fellow
citizens. Like every public and prominent man, he had his friends^
and he had his opposers — the latter on political grounds. To the
former he was ever faithful, and the latter he fearlessly, and gen-
erally successfully, met.
A New Englander by birth, he was ot that stock from whose
loins came the sturdy race who are the natural frontiersmen. As
has been fitly said by Senator Hoar, the eminent statesman from
Massachusetts, on a recent occasion: ^' It is no race of boors that
has struck its axes into the forests of this continent. These men
knew how to build themselves log houses in the wilderness; they
were more skilled still in building constitutions and framing stat-
utes; slow, cautious, conservative, sluggish, unready in ordinary
life; their brains more quick, and as sure as their rifle's flash, when
great controversies that determine the fate of States are to be de-
cided, when great interests that brook no delay are at stake, and
great battles that admit no indecision are to be fought."
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640 HISTOBT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
As a pioneer he nnderstood all the hardships of a frontier life,
bnt his rugged honesty and close application to business, enabled
him to cultivate his mind and qualify himself for the various
walks of life. We find the language of another extolling the mer-
its of one most lamented citizen: ^^ It is one of the most beneficent
results of our American institutions, that we have ceased to speak
of poverty and hardships, and the necessity for hard and humble
toil, as disadvantages to a spirit endowed by nature with a capacity
for generous ambition. When labor is honorable and where every
place in social or public life is open to merit, early poverty is no
more a disadvantage, than a gymnasiutn to an athlete, or drill and
discipline to a soldier."
All he had was the fruit of his own labors, and the result of un-
tiring industry and honorable frugality practiced through a busy
life. He had a good farm and a pleasant home that he had put in
excellent shape in which to enjoy his declining years. But such
was not to be his pleasure. And as we write we are reminded of
the frailty and weakness of even the strongest and the wisest. Life
is indeed a panorama; men are the fiitting object, death is the end
of the scene, and eternity the great circle to which all feet are hast
ening.
We can close our sketch of Wilberforce P. Gaylord with no more
appropriate and merited words than were uttered by Senator
Waley preparatory to his oflfering resolutions of condolence and re-
spect at the second session of the Eighteenth General Assembly at
Des Moines. The able Senator said: — In his death his family
mourn the loss of the kindest of husbands and fathers. His friends
and neighbors mourn a kind, accommodating, courteous and ever
genial friend. The farmers, lawyers, and editors, each feel that
they have lost a representative man from their profession and ranks.
The country and district mourn the loss of one whom they have
often honored. In the person of W. P. Gaylord this Senate Cham-
ber, and the State of Iowa, have lost an able, prudent and wise leg-
islator. His dust has returned to dust, and bis spirit to the God
who gave it. Though he responds to the call of the Senate roll
no more, yet may we not trust his name is enrolled in the Lamb's
book of life, and while we mourn our deceased friend, may we be
able, when we are called from the stage of action, to feel that we
have done our duty as faithfully and as well.
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mSTOBY OF FLOYD OOUNIY. 041
COLONEL DAVID RIPLEY
Was born in the State of New York, in the year 1798; came to
Gallia County, Ohio, when a young man; married in the year
1819; visited this county in 1852-'3, settling here in 1854, daring
which year he had the courage to follow the Indians into Minnesota
alone, when nearly all other settlers - were frightened out of the
country. He located on or near section 12, of township 94, 17. In
1862 he visited Colorado, where he enlisted to fight the Indians
and had a number of remarkable experiences. After making a
short residence in this county again, he went to Missouri, then to
Fremont County, this State, then to Decatur County, and finally
back to RivertDU Township, where he died July 26, 1881. During
his life he had been a member of the Legislature both in Ohio and
in Colorado, and was County Judge of Floyd during the exciting
times of the great county-seat contest. His son, Sanford Ripley,
whose sketch appears more in full elsewhere, resides in Eiverton
Township. The four daughters left by the deceased are Mrs. W. B.
Carter, Mrs. James Wood, Mrs. John Allison and Mrs. Henry Allen.
WIKFIELD SOOTT BIDBB,
A young man ot more than ordinary promise, died at Wav-
erly, la., Aug. 17, 1866, aged twenty-five years. His death
resulted from injuries caused by a steamboat explosion. While
the boat, "Joseph Pierce," was taking on board the Sixty-
fourth TJ. S. Colored Infantry, Colonel Meaty ard command-
ing, her starboard boiler exploded with terrible force, after
she had been lying at the bank about half an hour, blowing away
fifty feet of the center of the boat. Hundreds were blown into the
river, but, strange to say, the loss of life w^s very small. About
twenty miles below Vicksburg this catastrophe occurred, and July
81, 1865. Among the victims was Mr. Rider, who was thrown
out upon the land, and seriously injured internally. He set out
for home, and arriving at Waverly, was unable to travel further.
His brother from Floyd went down August 15, to that place, with
an easy carriage, bedding, etc., to bring him home; but he was too
late, and Mr. Rider died as before stated.
His remains were taken to Floyd, where, at the Methodist chapel,
the Friday following, a large concourse of people assembled to
pay respect to his memory. The sermon was preached by Rev.
Mr. Bronson. Many citizens from Charles City attended the
iuneral, including the Charles City Cornet Band, and soldiers
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642 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
under arms, many of them compatriots with the deceased through
long years of bloody war. The coffin was richly ornamented with
ailver trimmin^rs and over it was thrown the U. S. flag, that ban-
ner which in life young Eider had loved so well and had so nobly
defended on many a field of battle The burial took place under
military honors.
Mr. Rider was best known to the citizens of Floyd County, as
the army correspondent of the Charles City IntdUgenoer^ although
he had also contributed poetic compositions and articles of other
description. In the war he was for some time clerk in the Quarter-
masters' Department at Vicksburg, Postmaster of the Sixteenth
Army Corps, and enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence and
friendship of Major Gens. Sherman, Mc Pherson, Logan and others*
He had a warm genial heart, full of generosity and frankness, ever
grateful for favors, and overflowing with kindness toward others.
Boswell Kider, father of the deceased, sent four sons to the war:
two of whom lost their lives in their country's service, and the
other two were several times seriously wounded.
CHESTER BUTTEBFIELD,
For many years one of the most influential men in Floyd County,
and for a time Chairman of tbe Board of Supervisors, was a
native of Vermont; and spent the middle part of his life in
Lake County, 111., near Waukegan. He came to Floyd County
in the winter of 1855, settling near the village of Floyd. He
was a zealous and exemplary member of the M. £. church,
and some times occupied the pulpit as a preacher. Some years
ago he emigrated to Kansas, where he, in the summer of 1881,
attended a camp meeting, and was taken sick. He died Aug.
22, aged seventy-five years. His diseases were typhoid fever
and a bowel complaint, and his sufferings were severe and pro-
tracted. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
J. W. LBHMKUHL,
A thorough business man and public-spirited citizen of Charles
City, died in Bremen, Germany, Oct. 6, 1880. He was born at
Delmenhorst, Oldenburg, Germany, March 20, 1830. In 1850 he
came to Ohio, and in 1855 to Waverly, la., where he formed a
partnership in business with Theodore Hullman; but in June of
the same year a new partnership was formed, under the firm name
of Rumpf, Lehmkuhl & Co., the senior member having been a
fellow clerk with Mr. Lehmkuhl in Bremen. Mr. Lehmkuhl then
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 648
came to Charles City, and, assisted by Wm. Hausberg as clerk,
built and opened a store of general merchandise on the site of the
present store of Haasberg & Holbrook. Here Mr. Lehmknhl con-
tinned in business until March, 1877, when he sold out to Mr.
Hausberg. During a part of this time, he had an interest with
Mr. H. in a branch store at Floyd, and also with W. Schmedes, in
a store at Osage, Mitchell County. In the fall of 1877, Mr. Lehm-
knhl sailed to Europe for recreation and visiting friends and inter-
esting localities on the continent.
He was a bachelor until June, 1880, when he was married to
Miss Elizabeth Grelle, of Bremen. He and his wife spent the
summer in Switzerland and Italy, stopping some time at Lake
Como. In September he returned to Bremen, suffering from a cold.
Soon his symptoms assumed the form of gastric fever, inclining to
typhoid fever, from which he did not rally, but died at the home of
his sister, in Bremen.
Mr. Lehmkuhl was prominently identified with many of the
liberal and philanthropic enterprises of Charles City and vicinity,
and his death caused a very large community to mourn.
NATHAN H. PALMER, M. D.,
Was bom in Vermont, in 1797. He graduated from a '* York
State" medical college when in his twenty-seventh year, and up to
the date of his death practiced in his profession the greater portion
of the time. For several years he lived in Ohio, moving from
there to Bockford, 111., then a new settlement. In the fall of 1864,
he came to Charles City. He married, for his first wife, Samantha
Blair, Nov. 17, 1826. Their children were Margaret (now Mrs.
Milo Gilbert), Martha and Mary. His first wife died in January,
1836. He married, for his second wife, Miranda F. Isbell, Nov,
19, 1835. Their children were named Melinda, Amanda, Elston
A., Miranda and Olive. But two are living to-day — Elston A. and
Melinda, the latter having the honor of having taught the first
school in Floyd County. His second wife died April 8, 1848. For
his third wife, Mr. Palmer married Deborah Rhodes, April 29,
1849. By this wife he had one child, named Ellen.
DB. E. J. WHiLIAHS
Was a resident of Charles City from 1870 until the time of his
death in February, 1881, at the age of sixty-seven. He was a man
of great intellect, high honor and thoroughly devoted to his pro-
fession. He was also a zealous member of the Masonic order.
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CHAPTER XVI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
In this chapter we place those accounts which are too brief to
make foil chapters separately; and the material affoiwied us by the
history of this county results in giving us for miscellany, first, the
Temperance cause. Celebrations, Marriages, Postoffices and routes,
Bridges, Miscellaneous organizations, Anecdotal, etc.
TEMPERANCE.
The citizens of Floyd County have been as active in the cause
of temperance as those of any other part of the State, if not of
the West. While every one advocates ''temperance," one class
are in favor of prohibitory law, and the other opposed. The pro-
hibitionists do not regard moderate drinkers as thorough enough
in their temperance principles. It is not temperance in the sense
of moderation that the temperance party is working for, but total
(ibstinence — from a poison that may enslave. Hence a continual
warfare between the two classes, especially in the villages, where
the moderate drinkers and their license friends are always more
numerous. We are careful in our wording of the phrase "moder-
ate drinkers and their license friends," who are all '* license " men>
while real drunkards are as apt to be prohibitionists as license men.
This county was not in existence in the early days of the "Wash-
ingtonian " movement, the Sons of Temperance and the Good
Templars, though each of these in later times have had a history
in Floyd County.
During the winter of 1856-'7, a Washingtonian pledge was cir-
culated through the village of St. Charles, and about 150 persons
signed it. The " St Charles Temperance Association " was soon
organized, with constitution, by-laws and oflBlcers, to aid in enforc-
ing the State law. This presentation of a formidable front so
quelled the devotees of darkness that little remained to be done in
the way of prosecution.
In 1858 temperance meetings were revived, earnest pleas made
both in public and private, pledges circulated, etc. About this
(644)
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 646
time the Order of Good Templars established societies in this
county, which flonrished for years afterward.
By way of anecdote we may relate here that dnring the summer
of 1869, a man in St. Charles City joined the Good Templars, de-
termined that his wife should know nothing about it. He was
quietly admitted and the night fixed for his initiation. So far, so
good. But his wife suspected something of the kind going on, and
contrived a pleasant sort of surprise for him. He kept " mum,"
and she kept ''mum-er," — he ha]»py in blissful ignorance of his
wife's knowledge, and she "laughing in her sleeves" to think how
easy men are cheated. The expected evening came, and our hero
presented himself at the ante-room and was admitted. His aston-
ishment can better be imagined than described when the first voice
to welcome him was that of his '' own dear and thrice happy wifel"
The initiatory movements already mentioned are only represen-
tative of the temperance work which followed in this county until
1874, when the temperance '' crusade," as it was called, which orig-
inated in Ohio that year, struck this community, and shortly after-
ward organizations were eflfected among the women, auxiliary to
the State and National ''Woman's Christian Temperance Union."
The one in Charles City edited a temperance column in the IntdU-
gencer^ where they made pretty lively reading under what to the
license people seemed a very dull heading. Although this move-
ment commenced, as new parties always do, with considerable
noise and public demonstration, it soon quietly solidified down
into beautiful crystals, thus becoming permanent and therefore
effective against the enduring appetites of weak men. How much
the late prohibition victory in Iowa is due to their quiet work, no
one can tell.
The next and the last great temperance wave, which rolled over
Floyd County, is, for short, called the " Amendment" move, being
an effort to incorporate into the organic law of th^ State a section
prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage. This wave, which ultimately covered the State and
proved victorious at the polls, was greatly aided by the Charles
City Postmater, B. F. Wright When Mrs. J. Ellen Foster was
lecturing on temperance in this place in 1879, Mr. Wright proposed
that all the temperance efforts in the State unite on a movement
to place a prohibitory clause in the Constitution. She at first
thought it was too soon to inaugurate such a measure, but some
time subsequently she changed her mind, and joined the move-
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646 HISTOBT OP FLOYD OOTTinT.
ment. Further particulars may be found in the biographicaL
sketch of Mr. Wright, in the history of Charles City, on a- subse-
quent page. We make here one extract from his argument:
" The public policy of prohibiting saloons receives its strongest
argument of opposition in the assertion that it will injure the com-
merce of a town or State. Is it not singular, indeed, that men who
are skilled in all the craft and drive of trade should believe that a
traflSlc which simply steals away the muscle and brain of men, can
contribute to that market out of which honest profits are gleaned;
increase the physical endurance and prowess of an army by im-
poverishing its health, breaking a large percentage of its legs and
arms; increase the trade of a town by upholding a business, which
results, year by year, in crippling every man who is its patron,
and makes their families public beggars! "
The license party claim that while prohibition harasses the
legitimate liberty which every one should enjoy, it does not pre-
vent drunkenness, and that prohibitory laws prevent the immigra-
tion of Germans and others who are good citizens.
In the winter of 1878-'9, a large and strong temperance organi-
zation was effected in Charles City under the name of the *' Tribe
of Jonathan," with an elaborate constitution, by-laws and many
signatures to the same. This organization is said to have been
started by Captain Curtis, of Waterloo, la. Under the auspices of
the *' Tribe, '^ branch organizations were formed in this and adjoin-
ing counties, mass meetings held, and much efficient aid rendered
to the cause of temperance. A small periodical campaign sheet
was started in the winter of 1880-1 of four twelve-inch columns,
and edited by Mr. Wright. It was named ''The Amendment."
On the other hand the license menjformed a few organizations,
and worked against the amendment. In Charles City, for exam-
ple, the Deutscher Maes8{gkeitsverein{QeTm8Ln Temperance Union)
was organized; also in the spring of 1881, with constitution,
by-laws and officers, to work against the proposed amendment.
The following is the wording of the amendment.
Section 26. No person shall manufacture for sale, sell or keep
for sale as a beverage, any intoxicating liquors whatever, including
ale, wine and beer. The General Assembly shall, by law, pre-
scribe regulations for the enforcement of the provisions herein con-
tained, and shall thereby provide suitable penalties for violations
of the provisions thereof.
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C^,OaJa
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THC HEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LCKOX AND
TILDEN FOUKDATtOMS
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mSTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 649
The vote on the above was taken on the 27th of Jnne, 1882,
with the following result in Floyd County:
Townihlp. For. Agaiatt*
8t Charles 866 448
Floyd 148 77
Ul8ter 88 65
NUes ... 87 137
Pleasant Gro7e 50 65
Rudd 70 75
.Rock Grove 98 181
Union 181 184
Scott 42 78
Rockford 169 144
Rirerton 121 64
Cedar 79 19
1.878 1,457
Majority against the amendment, 84.
The majority in the State, however, was about 80,000 in favor
of the amendment, and the victory was celebrated in public meet-
ings, where speeches were made, etc. A grand celebration of this
kind was held in the public park in Charles City on the 14th of
July.
OBLBBBATIONS.
The people of Floyd County are eminently social and have
always had great respect for days made prominent in history by a
great and good act. This regard they have shown by holding
appropriate exercises, which have generally been well and peacea-
bly attended. We arrange here the most prominent of them chron-
ologically.
Tlie 4th of July celebration in St. Charles City, in 1857, passed
off quietly and pleasantly, excepting a single accident. The
weather was remarkably fine. At noon the people assembled in
the grove above the Square, where the Declaration was read by
W. B. Fairfield, of St. Charles, and an oration delivered by D. W.
Poindexter, of Mitchell, succeeded by remarks from Moses Conger,
of Floyd, and Mr. Fairfield. Dinner was enjoyed at the St.
Charles Hotel. Sociability was extended and cultivated, and in the
evening were fire- works, and a ball. The accident referred to hap-
pened to John Hill, who resided about two miles above town. He
charged the eye of a sledge hammer, piled anvils upon it, and ap-*
plied a match, when the hammer burst and carried away the most
of his leg. The accident cast a gloom over the people the rest of
the day.
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660 HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
July 4, 1858, a splendid celebration in St. Charles City, Floyd,
and other places . In St. Charles a grotesque procession was made
by the '* St. Charles Invincibles," who closed their part of the
day's programme with a mock oration at the public square. The
speech contained many good hits, and created much merriment
The St. Charles Cavalry were early on the ground, and with their
neat and tasteful uniforms, noble horses and good discipline, pre-
sented a fine appearance. Major D. Allen was the orator of the
day, who surpassed all expectations. I. W. Card read the Declara- '
tion of Independence. Eighteen toasts were introduced and re-
sponded to, and the day was unmarred by accident. E. P. Harring-
ton made an exhibition, in the Cedar River, of the celebrated
" Diver, " a sort of armor to be used in diving into water.
Similar programmes were carried out at the other places. At
the "geographical center," of the county, on this day, a grand
celebration was had by the friends of the removal of the county
seat to that place, who had just carried the county in favor of their
proposition, by a majority of nineteen. A full account of this is
given in Chapter III.
The Good Templars took the lead in celebrating upon the 4th
of July, 1860, in St. Charles City. The day was beautiful, and
the attendance large. Early in the morning, the stars and stripes
were floating from many a flag staff and edifice, and at the ap-
pointed hour the marshals, mounted on beautifully caparisoned
horses, formed a procession in the following order: Music; citizens
generally, both ladies and gentlemen; Worthy Master and Worthy
Deputy Master; male initiates; female initiates; banner; male
degree members; female degree members; officers of the lodge;
officers of the grand lodge; vice-presidents of the day; reader
and chaplain; president and orator. The procession was a long
one, and presented a gay and lively appearance. A large nuraber-
of banners were borne in the procession, several of which were rich
and elegant, and had various appropriate mottoes and devices. A
procession so attractive and imposing had never before been seen iu
Floyd County, possibly in the State.
On arriving at the grove, a scene of beauty and enchantment
burst upon the vision, due in most part to the skill of woman's
fairy hand. The grounds were arranged in the order of a
lodge room, and were well furnished and ornamented. At this
place the order of exercises were: Martial music; prayer, by the
Chaplain, Rev. A. D. Bush; singing, by the entire audience; the
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HISTOET OF FLOYD OOUNTY. 661
opening ode of the Good Templars, *' Friends of Temperance,
welcome here,'' to the tune, "Watchman, tell us of the night;*'
reading of the Declaration of Independence, by James Jackson;
the national hymn, "America," by the entire audience; oration,
by John G. Patterson; martial music; temperance addresses, by
J. Q. Detwiler; sentiments by A. B. F. BHldreth, and responses
by the audience as follows.
1. The Day we Celebrate: Glorious in the past, honored in the
present, may its luster brighten in the future. Response by
James Jackson.
2. The Memory ofow Revolutionary Fathers: Let it be enbalmed
in the hearts of posterity. A silent response.
3. Washington: God caused him to be childless that a nation
might call him father. Response by L. L. Huntley singing the
song entitled " The Death Bed of Washington," and preforming an
accompaniment upon the seraphine.
4. The Presidency of the United States: The noblest office in the
world; its occupant should be one of the noblest of men. Re-
sponse by Dr. J. W. Smith.
5. The Order of Good Templars: An invading "cold water
army," at whose command the hosts of King Alcohol ever sur-
render at discretion. Response by J. G. Patterson.
6. The Ladies: Gentle, patient, affectionate and ever zealous in
a good cause; without them our men would be savages and our
prairies deserts. Response by Dr. E. Cortright.
7. The Musicians: Without the harmonious strains the celebra-
tion could not go on. Response by Mr. Huntley, singing a comic
song.
8. Our Common Schools: Caskets containing the jewels of our
country; we expect the teachers, as artisans, wUl see that they are
rightly set. Response by Mr. Wilbur, the County Superintendent.
9. The Farmer: One of nature's noblemen. Response by
Q«n. Wilson, of Des Moines, Secretary of the Agricultural Col-
lege and Farm.
10. The Clergy: Patient defenders of the Ctoss; may their
reward be ^ ^manifold more in this present time, and in the world to
come life everlasting." Responded to by Rev. A. D. Bush.
11. St. Charles Lodge^ No. 62, 1.O.of G. T: K moral reformer
whose services are invaluable. Responded to by G. B. Eastman,
W. C. T. of the lodge.
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
12. The Benevolent Sooietiee of the Day: Their "secrecy" is
the tie that unites their members in the work of social reform.
Response by E. A. Teeling.
13. Mantial Labor: The stepping stone to virtue, health, happi-
nefls and independence. B. F. Cheney responded.
14. loway the Home of our Adoption: May she, like Cornelia,
point to her sons and say, '* These are my jewels." Reply by I.
W. Card.
16. The Officers of the Day: Well have they discharged their
duties, and the thanks of the audience are theirs. Response by
Judge Wiltse, President of the Day.
After listening to martial music, the closing ode of the order
was sung, — ''Heavenly Father give thy blessing," — to the air,
** Sicilian Hymn."
The marshals then formed a procession of nearly all who were
upon the ground and conducted them to the lodge hall, whence
the people dispersed for dinner.
No accident or blunder occurred to mar the perfection of the
day and every person went home happy.
Dec. 27, 1860 (St. John's Day), was celebrated by the Masonic
fraternity at St. Charles City in magnificent style with music,
speeches, toasts and supper. A full report was given in the
Intelligencerj occupying five columns of its issue of Jan. 3. 1861.
July 4, 1861, celebrations of independence at St. Charles City, *
Floyd, Rock Grove, Nashua, etc., all of which passed off credit-
ably and satisfactorily. Much emphasis was, of course, laid upon
the duties of the hour, mingled with fears and hopes concerning
the future of the nation.
July 4, 1868, the grandest celebration ever before known in this
part of Iowa, notwithstanding the great burdens of the war. It
was estimated that 4,000 people were present in Charles City.
D. M. Ferguson was Marshal of the day, and, with an impromptu
horse company under command of Rev. E. G. O. Groat, accom-
panied with music, escorted the several delegations into town. A
full order of exercises was carried out. J. G. Patterson read the
Declaration of Independence, and Rev. J. G. Witted delivered the
oration. There were also a magnificent dinner, spirited songs,
toasts of loyalty and patriotism, etc. Hervey Wilbur read a long
but interesting response to the toast, '* The President's Proclama-
tion of Emancipation, and the Year 1863, — the Edict, and the Year
of Jubilee to the Bondmen of America."
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HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT. , 658
July 4, 1866, a grand and successful celebration. The war
ended, and the Union saved, the people felt as if they had a glori-
ous nation to shout for. Hon. Wm. B. Fairfield was President of
the day; Capt. JR. Q. Reiniger, Marshal; J. Oheston Whitney,
Reader of the Declaration of Independence, and H. O. Pratt, Or-
ator. Music, toasts, etc., added to the interest of the beautiful
day.
July 4, 1866, at St. Charles City,, a successful and satisfactory
celebration, winding up with a grand ball in the evening, at Hol-
comVs Union Hall. There was also ' a splendid celebration at
Floyd, at which place, after sundown, was a parade of the ''Ante
diluvians."
July 4, 1867, was celebrated in a lively manner, at Floyd and
Marble Bock. At Charles City there was no formal, public pro-
gramme, except a church picnic, but at two o'clock in the morning
the " boys " created a great fire alarm by a big bonfire on the pub-
lic square. Half attired, the citizens commenced running, with
buckets, etc., in hand, and were much disgusted when the boys
revealed the true state of the affairs by their loud huzzas. In the
morning, the streets were found barricaded with vehicles, farm
machinery, etc.
Decoration day, 1868, was observed in magnificent style. The
weather was fine, and many were in attendance. This d?iy is gen-
erally observed in Floyd County.
The Centennial, U. S. Grant, the President of tlie United
States, having recommended that the history of the townships
and counties in the Union be written and read on this, the centen-
nial 4th day of July, 1876, and his Excellency, Samuel J. Kirk-
wood, having indorsed that recommendation, the people of Floyd
County, irrespective of locality, creeds or party, forgettini^ the
rivalries of the past, assembled at Charles Oiry on that day, to
again pledge their fealty to the strong and generous Government,
which they protect, and by which they are protected. The Hon.
John G. Patterson, a radical Republican and prominent attorney,
of Charles City, presided over the assemblage. J. Strong Root,
Esq., a radical Democrat and prominent attorney, of the same
place, delivered an eloquent oration. W. H. Gaylord, of Nora
Springs, read a condensed history oi Floyd County. The cornet
band of Nora Springs, consisting of thirteen members, under the
leadership of Professor Israel Turnerj together with promiscuous
martial bands, furnished the music, enlivening and grand. The
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654 HISTOBT OP FLOYD OOUNTT.
Kev. A. Miner, of Charles City, prayed for the future life and en-
during prosperity of the Nation, and all true men and women
everywhere, regardless of party or persuasion, will cheerfully re-
spond, Amen.
July 4, 1882, was made prominent by the prohibitionists, who
celebrated their great victory at the polls throughout the State,
in favor of the late Constitutional amendment.
MARRIAGES.
For the first five years after men and women began to marry in
Floyd County, the following licenses were issued by the recorder.
1865. — Feb. 6, Wesley Ames and Delilah Castleman; Feb. 21,
Marvin L. Heath, Lucy A. Smith.
March 3, Chauncey Lyard, Florilla Morris; March 30, Wm. H.
"Welch, Susan Border.
May 7, Henry F. Eice, Mary A. Cook; Charles S. Stevens,
Permelia Greenwood; May 23, Henry Green, Lydia Blunt.
June 2, Jacob Beeler, Huldah J. Downer; June 28, Charles
Lutes, Martha Ann Long.
July 3, Lester Place, Carolina L. Wright; July 7, Sanders M.
Howard, Frances P. Bennett; July 12, Peter Parish, Harriet
Blanchard; July 23, Pyton Brentner, Eliza Ann Harvey.
Sept. 8, Joseph Wright
Nov. 3, Ambrose Baker, Catharine E. Little; Nov. 9, Samuel
Niverson, Elizabeth Rolfe; Nov. 28, Jacob Johnson, Susan
Cochran.
1856. — Jan. 9, Isaiah M. Rogers, Elizabeth Strawn.
March 19, C. T. Ferris, Harriet McKinley.
April 3, Wm. E. Cave, Floretta Goodhue; April 28, Luke
Johnson, Nancy Baltimore.
May 4, Sidney S. Smith, Margaretta T. Horr; May 20, Edwi n
Klinetop, Emma Bassett; May 24, James D. Gilpin, Mary Jane
Hogan.
June 5, E. Lynn, E. Roscile Scott; June 16, Jerome McKinley,
Mary A. Hart; June 26, Samuel Hayes, Lucy Jane Young; Wm.
Dean, Harriet A. Gaylord; June 28, Wilbur Closson, Lucretia
Johnson.
July 1, Amos McKinley, Catharine Johnston; July 1, John W.
Buckley, Aznbah E. Holbrook.
Aug. 4, Samuel M. Goldsburg, Rachel Jane Wells.
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HI8T0BT OP FLOYD OOUNTY. 666
Oct 6, Richard H. Jones, Caroline Hubbard; Oct. 18, J. Tay-
lor, Sally Spafford; Oct. 20, Charles H. Towner, Louisa Bennett;
Oct 80, Sylvester Rice, Mary Ann Henry. -
Nov. 10, Alex. Gale, Viola Lyon; Nov. 22, Joshua A. Ripley,
Hnldah S. Sutton.
Dec 6, Christian Kuhn, Anna Bloom; Dec. 17, Levi Shepard,
Jr., Mary E. Johnson.
1857.-— Jan. 16, James H. Pitcher, Frances L. Dutcher.
Feb. 4, Abram R. Foster, Amelia Free;, Samuel Sours, Anna
M. Rex; Feb. 11, Egbert Davis, Fanny M. Ackley; Feb. 17,
George Collett, Emily Balch; W.A. L. Dayton, Elizabeth Chatman;
Feb. 18, John C. Holland, Melinda A. Palmer.
March 8, John Taylor, Lovey Ann Hudson; March 11, Nathan
A. Palmer, Jane L. Holland; March 20, Zeiba E. Jackson, Melinda
Carr; March 26, Egbert Sandford, Lydia Allison.
April 8, James M. Cooper, Sarah A. Womsley; April 16, Wilder
Rutherford, Eleanora Hotchkiss; April 18, George F. Hubbard,
Vienna Burroughs; April 22, Israel W. Snyder, Reggirma Carsner;
April 27, Samuel Riddill, Sarah J. Griffith; April 28, James
Bemham, Louisa Paddock; April 30, George Robertson, Charlotte
Brooks.
May 13, "Wm. Bunny, Sarah Cassaday.
June 11, L^ Harrison, E. Louisa J. Dean; June 17, Joseph Looley,
Ursula Hunter; June 24, Calvin B. Douglass, Nancy V. Under-
wood; June 80, Sidney D. Skelton, Mary Bell.
July 26, George Hauk, Louisa Scott; Josiah G. Quimby, Edith
Knouse; A. D. Babcock, Sarah E. Biglow.
Aug. 10, (Jeo. W. Bensley, Eliza L Smith; Aug. 11, Wm.
Wagner, Elizabeth Rex; Aug. 13, Seth Terry, Laura Coon; Aug.
15, Wm. W. Dickman, Jemima J. Workman; Aug. 19, Hiram
Smothers, Sarah E. Cooper; Aug. 26, George N. Johnson, Anna
Brooks; ^ug. 31, W. A. Austin, Lucinda A. Butterfield; Silas
Stewart, Martha M. Niles.
Sept. 3, Jos. P. Cook, Mary M. Story; Sept. 12, James Tatum,
Jr., Lucinda Hazzard; Sept, 16, Henry Green, Eleanor Nitcher;
Sept. 21, Lorenzo D. Gardner, Sarah A. Sherman; Sept. 23, Henry
F. Allison, Lovina Dawley.
Oct. 7, Charles W. Atkinson, Anna R. Jackson; Oct. 81, John
Farer, Elizabeth Hill.
Nov. 7, Wm. Henry Welch, Angeline Scott; Winfield D.
Bryant, Eliza J. Walling ; B. F. Russell, Rosanna M. Bryant;
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666 mSTOBT OF floyd oountt.
Kodney S. Baker, Nancy A. Wray; Thos. W. Hemphill, Leah
Knouee.
Nov. 24, Orlando McEwen, PhcEbe Orowell; Nov. 27, Jeremiah
Eider, Mary A . Hill.
Dec. 8, Emiri Abbott, Lamira Abbott; Dec. 14, Wra. S. Ray-
mond, Abigail Orowell; Dec. 30, Russell Arthur, Augusta Grow;
"Wm. H. Coffin, Amanda E. Allen; Dec. 81, L. Henry Hunn,
Harriet Patton* .
1868. — Jan. 9, Maurice S. Oole, Mary A. Ingram; Jan. 11, John
M. Parsons, Harriet M. Oondill; Jan. 21, Peter Warburton, Mary
Oassady.
Feb. 16, Ransom Knapp, Mary Dunham; Feb. 25, Jacob Bas-
sett, Mary A. Jolly; Jan. 26, John S. Lefever, Florilla Brayton.
April 7, Joel Johnson, Mary Powers; April 15, John D. Yoder,
Malvina Lyon.
May 6, Samuel Mitchell, Mary Tague; J. V. "W. Montague,
Martha Jackson.
June 9, H. I. Miller, ; June 12, Seth Richardson,
Catherine Defield.
Aug. 2, Matthias Cramer, Catherine Snick; Aug. 7, Philip
Moore, Sarah Richardson; Aug. 24, James M. Newton, Francis
P. Howard; Aug. 21, H. O. H. Vinton, Maria E. Hedges.
Sept 1, Valentine Bogle, Malinda Searls; Sept. 13, Hiram F.
Lambert, Harriet Greenwood.
Oct. 6, Barney Corby Numday; Sept. 13, Franklin F.
Thomas, Mary Mansfield; Oct. 23, Henry Bumgardner, Ruth
Ann Yoder; John McHenry, Sarah C. Yoder.
Nov. 9, James Morrison, Jane Shaw; Giles W. Mead, Caroline
Powers.
Dec. 13, Jasper Gregory, Eflfa Ann Powers; Dec. 18, George
Harshey, Susan Ball; Dec. 22, A. M. Slutter, Lyndia E. French;
Dec. 80, Hiram S. Smith, Ruth A. Raymond.
1859.— Jan. 10, Hugh O'Donnell, Elizabeth Carrell ; Jan. 10,
Jackson Wood, Helen L. Taylor.
April 1, Geo. W. Stannard, Elizabeth Wilson; April 8, James
Jackson, Mary J. Clark; April 25. Alex B. Warren, Elmira
Orowell; Charles E. Biglow, Hewwira Jackson.
May 5, Daniel Perrin, Emeline P. Harrison; May 9, George 0.
Ball, Mary L. Cory; May 23, Daniel M. Dean, Elmira Knouse;
May 25, James Choate, Esther Miller; May 27, Charles H. Hart,
Sarah E. Howard.
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HI8T0BT OF FLOTD OOUinT,
667
June 14, Titus Wray, Catherine Cassady.
July 14, Nathan J. Robbins, Ruth Ann Whitney; July 23,
Amos Petti t, Matilda R. Young.
Sept, 1, Hiram Losee, Phebe Smith; Sept 6, Philip Shafer,
; Solomon J. Askely, Emily Rex.
Oct. 14, Samuel Rex, Jane Askely; Oct. 16, Jared H. Lowder,
Emeline L. Hutchins.
Nov. 17, Thompson Halsted, Antinetta Kinney.
Dec. 3, Harrison Ganett, Elizabeth E. Ready; Dec. 31, Wm.
Christner, Mary Jane Halsted.
The number of marriage licenses issued for the several years
from 1855 to September, 1882, inclusive, is as follows:
Tear.'
1855 ..
1856...
1857. . .
1858..,
1859...
1860...
1861...
1862...
1868...
1864...
No.
..17
..25
..57
..27
.45
..14
..16
.85
Year.
1865..
1866 .
1867..
1868..
1869.,
1870. ,
1871.,
1872..
1878..
1874. .
No.
.. 49
.. 88
. 81
..96
.118
.111
.120
.119
.127
Year.
1875..
1876...
1877..
1878. .
1879..
1880...
1881.
No.
.114
.141
.186
.141
.182
.114
.118
1882.toBept7 91
Total 2,250
P08T0FFI0B8 AND POSTAL BOUTBS.
The first postoffice in the county was established in Freeman, in
August, 1854, and the first postmaster was BobertL. Freeman, who
kept the oflSlce in his store on lot No. 1, block G, in precisely the place
where since has stood the dwelling-house of C. W. Leaman. In
1855 Freeman disposed of his interest in the mercantile business
to S. C. Gk)ddard, who then became postmaster. The same year
John Blunt was appointed postmaster, who transferred the ofiSce
into his store, that of Blunt & Collins, on the northeast side of the
river, described elsewhere. This office retained the name of Free-
man instead of St. Charles, as the latter was also the name of a
postoffice in Madison County, this State. I'his was the first post-
office northwest from Bradford, and to it people came from Mitchell
and Cerro Gordo Counties, and]even from Southern Minnesota. J.
I. R. Frost claims to have been postmaster in Union in 1855.
During the year 1856 postal routes were established running
from West Union to Freeman by way of Bradford, from Freeman
to Shell Rock Falls by way of Rock Creek, and from Freeman to
Mitchell ville by way of Floyd, Gilmantown and Cora.
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66 8 HI8T0EY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
M. O. Walker, in 1866, ran a daily line of four-horse coaches
from McGregor's Landing through West Union and Bradford to
St. Charles, and a tri- weekly line from St. Charles to Mitchell Cen-
ter. Distance from McGregor's to St Charles, about ninety miles;
fare, $6.60; from St. Charles to Mitchell, twenty-three miles; fare,
$1.76. The stage from Dubuque intersected with this line at
West Union. This contractor proved to be negligent, and a Mr.
Sharpe, in 1 869, commenced also to operate as mail carrier.
In October, of this year, D. D. W. Carver, of the Intelligencer^
was appointed postmaster at St. Charles City. About this time a
postoffice was established at Watertown, near the northern line of
the county, in Floyd Township, but was soon discontinued in 1869'
the mails for the people in that vicinity to be sent to Orchard,
Mitchell County. Flood Creek postoffice was discontinued in 1861.
In the latter part of the winter of 1860-'l, a short time before
Dr. Smith was appointed postmaster, many of the citizens of
Charles City concluded to choose a man to present to the General
Department for appointment as postmaster. Hand- bills were cir^
culated, calling for a mass-meeting at Cheney & Br ackett's Hall,
March 2. In taking the vote, E. A. Teeling and R. G. Reiniger
were appointed tellers, who used a hat for a ballot-box. Mr. Teel-
ing noticed that one man deposited more than one ballot, where-
upon a discussion arose which soon ended in a real row, the fisting
and cuffing, for a rarity, commencing around the ballot-box (hat)
at the secretary's table, and proceeding like a wild contagion
toward the rear of the audience. During this melee the lights were
put out, or went out. Sundry non-resistants perched on window-
sills, or took points of observation in other out-of-the-way place a,
and looked on as witnesses. The whole situation was about as
amusing as it was serious. The only declaration of the result of
this ''election" ever known was this: A citizen met one of the
candidates next morning and said, "Good morning, Mr. ;
what was the result of the postoffice caucus last night?" ''G — d —
it I what's that to you, young man?" was the reply.
Concerning this meeting, the Intelligenoer has the following :
" The impression prevailed that more or less 'packing' had been
done, and there was a determination on the part of some of the
citizens that that process of carrying nominations should be
stopped. The meeting organized by electing Milo Gil bert for
C hairman and R. G. Reiniger, Secretary. An informal ballot was
o rdered, and resulted as follows : D. Davidson, twenty ; G. B.
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HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTY. 659
Eastman, nineteen ; A. W. French, fourteen : J. V. W. Montague,
ten ; J. W. Smith, two ; E. B. 0. Wright, two ; V. W. Baker,
two ; S. Wiggin, one. A direct ballot was now ordered. To shut
off Democrats, it was decided that none but Republicans should be
allowed to vote. Soon our laie Democratic postmaster offered his
vote, and, being refused, insisted that he was a Republican, — a new
convert, and a most zealous one, — and in proof he shouted 'Hurrah
for old Abe.' His vote was received, double and treble voting was
noticed, crimination and recrimination arose, and soon a half dozen
quarrels were in full blast in various parts of the hall. The
chairman sought in vain to keep order, and at length declared the
meeting adjourned sins die. The hall was then cleared by putting
out the lights. "
The above instance, however, does not show that the citizens of
St Charles were any more riotous than the best of communities
anywhere, but the attempt to choose postmasters by popular vote
under our system of government must always lead to bitter per-
sonalities.
In September of this year (1861), the name of the postoflSce at
St. Charles was changed to Charles City, and the Intelligencer
changed its heading accordingly.
Mail '^facilities" having been for a long time very far from
'^facile, " a meeting of many of the leading citizens and business
men of Charles City was held March 5, 1862, for the securing a
more prompt and faithful transportation of the mails. A. B.
F. Hildreth was Chairman of the meeting. For two weeks there
had been no mail via Dubuque. The following preamble and
resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whereas, Since the transfer of mail route No. 11,013 (leading
from West Union via Nashua to Osage), from Joseph Sharpe to
M. O. Walker as contractor or carrier, the mails north of Brad-
ford have been carried in an ineflScient and exceedingly irregular
manner, — the drivers often changing the running days each way
without authority, thus losing time and failing to connect with
other mail lines ; and
Whebeas, There has been no mail received since February 28
(although many teams have since passed daily over the route),
whereby over 20,000 inhabitants, who are principally supplied
through this channel with their mail matter, have been deprived
of the same, to the great detriment of the business interests of this
region of country ; therefore
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660 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Resolved^ That we, together with all citizens residing together
in the valley of the upper Cedar River and its tributaries, labor
nnder serious disadvantages in the transaction of our business, and
our grievances are just cause of complaint.
Resolved^ That past experience justifies us in using' our influ-
ence with the proper authorities in requiring the present mail
contractor to transport the mails over the route above specified
according to the terras of this contract, or that he be promptly
removed.
Resolved^ That we earnestly protest against any person receiv-
ing, in future, a mail contract who has repeatedly and persistently
proved his faithlessness in former contracts ; and we will use our
influence in withholding public patronage from such individual.
Resolvedy That the secretary [of this meeting, Geo. 0. Dean] be
and is hereby instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to
the Contract OflSce of the General Postoflice Department at
Washington, and to cause the same to be published in the Charles
City Intelligencer.
This movement resulted in the appointment of Messrs. Nichols
& Co., as mail contractors, who proved faithful to their trust.
In 1866 A. E. Haskell, of Fort Dodge, obtained the contract for
carrying the mail tri- weekly between Charles City and Calmar,
to which latter point the McGregor Western Railroad had been
completed. A semi-weekly mail was carried between Charles City
and Clear Lake, by J. C. Steams, of Charles City.
Soon after this period the railroad was built through this county,
and the principal points supplied with daily mails.
BBIDGBS.
These are almost as great a necessity to the progress of a com-
munity as the roads, of which they are often an essential part; but
as they are comparatively costly, pioneer settlers cannot aftord to
build them, especially reliable ones, and hence a great privation
has to be suffered, for many long years. Temporary bridges are
built at first, of logs, boards and brush, to be carried away by the
first freshet. The experience of Floyd County of course, has been
no exception to the general rule. The first wagon road to become
well marked by travel, was that up the Cedar River on the west
side, from Cedar Falls and Nashua (or Bradford), to Floyd and
Osage.
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HI8T0BT OP FLOYD COUNTY. 661
In pnrstiance of notice the citizens of Floyd County, met at
Cheney & Brackett's Hall, St. Charles City, June 8, 1859, to do-
vise ways and means to build bridges in the county. S. Hackey
was appointed Chairman and R. G. Reiniger, Secretary. After
some remarks from gentlemen in different parts of the county, it
was thought advisable to give the voters a further opportunity to
consider the matter; and that the subject might be more tally
presented to them, the chair was instructed to appoint a com-
mittee of three in each township, whose duty it should be to call a
meeting of the voters of their respective townships to discuss the
propriif ty of laying a tax on the property in the county for the
purpose aforesaid, and to see that the several townships are fully
represented at the next convention, agreebly to which the chair
appointed the following committee:
Rockford — ^A. R. Prescott, Ghiorge Wyatt and Horace Steams;
Floyd — ^Moses Conger, Chester Bntterfield and H. Wilbur; River-
ton — S. Clark, Charles Young and Jacob Beck; Union — ^D. Ripley,
Isaac Teeples and John Wallace; Niles — ^Newman Dutcher,
Rowe and J. B. Dawley; Rock Grove— T. T. Gilbert, W. W.
Roberts and J. Hemphill ; Ulster — John Ball, ^Welch and
John Chapman; Cedar — D. Crawford, W. B. Howard and Isaac
Nadin; St Charles — ^M. Gilbert, R W. Humphrey and J. Blunt.
Adjourned to Jnly 2.
At the meeting Jnly 2, a committee was appointed to ascertain
where public bridges were necessary, and the amount to be ex-
pended upon each bridge; and they resolved that $12,500 should
be raised by tax, to be expended as follows: At St. Charles,
$3,000; Floyd, $3,000; Rockford, $2,000; Rock Grove, $2,000;
Union, $2,000; Cedar, $200; on the main road leading from St.
Charles to Marble Rock, over Flood Creek, $100; on Flood Creek,
near John Balls, in Ulster, $100; and on Flood Creek, on the
county road, west of Abram G. ShrolPs, $100. A committee was
appointed to draft a petition to circulate and present to the County
. Court. Adjourned sine die.
An editorial appeared in the next issue of the Intellig&noer^ ad-
vocating the issue of county bonds, on the ground that the people
were apt to be too loth to vote a direct tax upon themselves.
Others advocated the issue of county warrants, which would be
receivable for taxes; but warrants were more liable to depreciate
than bonds, and the idea of issuing them was abandoned.
The iron bridges in the county are noticed in the sketches of
the respective towns or townships where they exist.
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662 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
UPPER CEDAR VALLEY MEDICAL A880CIATIOK.
Aug. 11, 1871, a call was issued for a meeting of physicians in
Charles City, to organize a "Medical Association." It was
signed by Drs. J. W. Smith, L. P. Fitch, J. W. Nabersburg and
E. J. Williams, all of Charles City. In pursuance of this call a
meeting was held Sept. 22, in the Odd Fellows Hall in Charles
City. Present : Drs. S. B. Chase, of Osage, a graduate of Bow-
doifl Medical College, 1849; J. W. Smith, of Charles City, Tale
Medical College, 1850; Wm. S. Pitts, of Fredericksburg, Rush
Medical College, 1868; Henry W. Turner, of Osage, Ohio Medi-
College, 1861; J. W. Nabersberg, of Charles City, Iowa Uni-
versity, 1865; J. K. Gardner, of Lawler, Michigan University,
1870; E. W. Wilbur, of Rockford, Philadelphia University, 1870;
A. H. Wight, Dover, University of Michigan, 1870; J. L. Whitley,
of Osage, Rush Medical College, 1869; John G. Ogden, of Mason
City, New York City University Medical College, 1847; and L. P.
Fitch, of Charles City, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New
York City, 1864.
A preliminary organization was effected, with Dr. Chase as
Chairman, and Dr. Fitch, Secretary ^r<?. tern.
After remarks upon the advisability of organizing a district
medical society, by Drs. Smith, Chase and the other gentlemen
present, it was resolved to organize a district medical society.
The chair appointed Drs. Smith, Turner and Pitts a committee
on Permanent Organization.
The committee presented a constitution and by-laws, which
were adopted by the society. The name of the society to be
" The Upper Cedar Valley Medical Association," and that it
includes the counties of Floyd, Mitchell, Howard, Chickasaw,
Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Cerro Gordo, and Worth.
The following officers were then chosen: President, Dr. S. B.
Chase; Vice President, Dr. J. W. Smith; Secretary, Dr. L. P.
Fitch; Treasurer, Dr. Wm. S. Pitts.
Eegular annual meetings to be held on the second Tuesday of
June; a semi-annual meeting has also usually been held in Decem-
ber; each to be held at such place as the society shall direct.
Since the organization, the following have become members,
viz., from Floyd County:
*Dr. E. J. Williams, Charles City; Dr. M. M. Grannis, Charles
♦Deceased,
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HISTOST OP FLOYD OOUNTT. 668
City; Dr. Irving W. Smith, Charles City; Dr. S. Riddill, Nora
Springs; Dr. C. C.Birney, Nora Springs; Dr.W. A. Clayton, Marble
Eock; Dr. J. D. McKenzie, Floyd ; Dr. W. H. Nichols, Rockford.
From Chickasaw County: Dr. S. S. Troy, Nashua; Dr. C.
Billings, Nashua; Dr. H. M. Mixer, New Hampton; Dr. A. Bab-
cock, New Hampton; Dr. F. O. Sherwin, Lawler.
From Mitchell County: Dr. A. H. Moore, Osage; *Dr. Elmer
Nichols, Osage; Dr. S. A. Curvath, Mitchell; Dr. Harris Fellows,
Riceville; Dr. John S. Wells, Riceville.
From Cerro Gordo County: Dr. A. A. Noyes, Mason City.
From Bremer County: Dr. H. Nichols, Plainfield.
From Worth County : Dr. N. L. Kean, Northwood.
At this meeting — 1882 — the association numbers about twenty-
five members; holds regular meetings, and includes most of the
physicians of Floyd County. In professional ability, and the
interest of its proceedings, it compares favorably with other sim-
ilar societies.
The annual meeting of 1872 was held at Osage; all other meet-
ings have been held at Charles City, as the most central place,
FLOYD COUNTY SABBATH-SCHOOL AS80CLA.TI0N OF IOWA.
This association was organized July 16, 1867, in Charles City.
A constitution was adopted, and R. B. Clarke, of Charles City,
was elected President; Vice-Presidents, E. C. Chapin, Charles
City; H. W. Bl-onson, Floyd; J. S. Childs, Rockford; Secretary,
Eev. D. N. Bordwell, Charles City; Treasurer, David Pettit, also
of Charles City. The present officers are, A. Schermerhorn, Pres-
ident; Dr. E. W. Wilbur, Wesley Brownell and W. E. BLolbrook,
Vice-Presidents; C. A. Slocum, Secretary and Treasurer. This
organization has been kept alive, and its efficiency has been marked
in advancing Sunday-school work in all its branches and in all the
churches. By the by-laws its regular meetings are held annually,
from place to place but the county is now divided into three dis-
tricts, wherein meetings are to be held every month or so. This is
one of the permanent organizations of Floyd County.
• THE'DBIVB-WELL SWINDLE.
A meeting of citizens interested was held at the council room in
Charles City, Feb. 8, 1879, to devise means for resisting what is
know as the '* drive-well swindle." Hon.*' A. B. F. EMdreth was
chosen Chairman and E. J. Gilbert, Secretary, and a committee
♦Deceased.
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664 HISTOBT OP FLOYD COUNTY.
appointed to confer with the well agent. They made him these
two propositions: 1. Each man having a drive well to deposit
$10, subject to the order of the owners of the patent, provided the
cases then in litigation should be decided in their favor by the
United States Supreme Court, 2. If the owners of the patent
would take $5 royalty and give twenty days for payment from date
of publication of notice to that effect, no resistance to be made.
The agent said he had no authority to make concessions, but the
propositions struck him as fair and business-like, and he would
consult with his superiors.
A permanent organization was effected, with the following offi-
cers: A. B. F. Hildreth, President; A. G. Case, Vice-President;
V. G. Barney, Treasurer; E. J. Gilbert, Secretary. Membership
fee, $1. A large number of letters were written to parties in dif-
ferent States, making inquiries as to progress in pending suits.
But this association soon disbanded, as it was ascertained that
pending litigation began to result in favor of the proprietors of
the patent The people using the drive well had all tb pay the
$10 royalty.
In April following news came from New York Gty, that Judge
Blatchford, of that place, had rendered a decision invalidating the
drive-well patent; but it seems that the claims of the patentee were
finally sustained. In some of the States the claims of Greene are
successfully resisted.
FLOYD COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
This association was organized many years ago, and while kept
alive did a fair proportion of work. In the career of such a
society there are no marked features to form pabulum for history,
and at present the Floyd County Bible Society is '' resting on its
oars," probably waiting for the contemplated universal canvass
proposed by the American Bible Society.
ANECDOTAL.
The tedium of heavy history is often relieved by a comical or a
peculiar incident; and while most such events in this county are
related in connection with the respective village and township
histories in this volume, or in the general chapters, a few unclassi-
fied anecdotes we publish in this place.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY. 665
Pressing for Music. — A young man from the country, one
evening in 1860, about to call on some musical young ladies in
a Floyd County village, was told that he must ask them to sing,
and that if they refused, he should press them. Accordingly, he
commenced by requesting Miss Mary to favor him with a song.
She gently declined, saying she had '' a cold," etc. " Well, then,
Mith," said our hero, '* thuppothe I thqueethe you; don't you
think you might thing then? "
Poor Smitten Pedagogue! — In 1860 one of the fairest and
plumpest girls in a Floyd County school was called out upon the
floor one day for violating one of the master's rules. After inter-
rogating her a few moments, the master exclaimed, '* Will you give
me your hand ? " — '* Yes, sir, and ray heart, too," replied the girl,
as she presented her hand and eyed him rather be witchingly. Per-
fect silence reigned for a moment, and a tear was seen to glisten
in the teacher's eye. The ferule was laid upon the desk, and the
blushing girl was permitted to take her seat, after being directed
to tarry when school was out. As a sequel, it was understood that
a wedding was agreed upon.
A Negligent Wife. — In 1858, a Floyd County man being about
to start on a journey to Chicago, his careful wife exclaimed,
" Don't, Charles, go off with that hole in the elbow of your shirt;
for if the cars should run off the track and you should be killed,
people would think me a very negligent wife." Husband (button-
ing up his coat) — "Ahem! yes, I dare say they would."
No Oods in Iowa. — A schoolmaster in Floyd County, just from
the East, asked one of his pupils how many Gods there were. Ttie
boy scratched his head for some time and replied, '' I don't know
how many Gods you have East, but we have none in Iowa."
Loved her a Covfs Worth. — In one of the western towns of the
county, in 1867, a young man sought the hand of a certain young
lady in matrimony. She evaded an affirmative answer for two
years, and then went East, where she soon received a letter from
him, stating that he had consulted a lawyer, and ascertained that
he could recover from $200 to $500, but that if she would give
him an order for the possession of a cow, which she owned, he
would consider the matter settled.
A Matrimonial Dance. — ^A woman was divorced from her hus-
band in the county, in May, 1866. Shortly afterward she mar-
ried another man, and went to Idaho. In a short time she became
41
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666 HISTORY OP FLOYD OOITNTT.
dissatisfied with him, deserted her new home, came to Franklin
OouDty, this State, where she married a third time. In a few
weeks she deserted husband number three, and returned to this
county, where she commenced again to live with her first husband,
who had, in her absence in the West, married a second wife and
deserted her.
Not '^Aid ffefers.^^ — ^A Flojd County constable being directed
to serve an execution, was told that the property to be levied
upon consisted of three heifers, and that after taking charge of
the same he must indorse a return describing the property. With
a view to be entirely correct, and not finding "aul hefers," he
specified as follows: "I went to level on the three hefers butt
they want aul hefers onely wun was A shee hefer the uther was a
mooley bull, and the uther wun was a buUey mule."
A Motley Sgnad. — In August, 1870, a band of Indians (or gip-
sies), claiming to be of the Cherokee nation, visited Charles City
and probably other points in this section of the county, mainly for
the purpose of selling certain medicines, as there was a ^^ medi-
cine woman" among them. There were ten or twelve of the party,
including papooses. Two were young ladies (!) and adepts at
horseback riding. One young man in Charles City, desiring to
take a ride on horseback (or pony-back) with one of these copper,
colored maidens, was refused at first, but insisting, she very
politely told him in plain English to ^'go to hell." The filthy
stuff they sold for medicine may have been nothing more than a
decoction of old soup-bones and rotten wood. They sold $40 or
$50 worth during their short stay here. A number of young men
endeavored to outwit them with reference to their medical skill,
but received more than they sent. These rovers conld not all
have been Indians, as some had light colored hair, blue eyes and
a fair skin; and they could speak English, German and French.
They had four covered wagons, but no tents.
FLOYD COUNTY MAP.
A very reliable map of this county was drafted an published
in 1878 by Warner & Foote, of Red Wing, and now of Minne-
apolis, Mhin. It is drawn on the scale of one and three-fourths
miles to the inch. It was a subscription work and sold for $12
per copy.
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HI8T0BY OP FLOYD COUNTY. 667
BBLIEF TO WESTERN 8UFFBBBB8.
During the year 1874 a large section of Northwestern Iowa was
afflicted with a total failure of tlie crops from the locusts, and the
people became dependent upon the public for the necessaries of
life. In response to their wants the citizens of Floyd County
' responded not only liberally but promptly.
Also in the spring of 1882, when Grinnell, la., was devastated
by a cyclone, the citizens of this county maintained their prestige
in prompt and liberal contributions for the relief of sufferers at
that point. The unparalleled alacrity with which the people of
this county flew to the aid of Chicago during the great fire of Oct.
9 and 10, 1871, was incredible. Within twenty hours after that
fire broke out, and before it had done more than half its work,
the citizens of Charles City met and made arrangements for
contributions.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
CHARLES CITY.
THE BEGINNINGS.
Joseph Kelly was the first white settler withia the present
bounds of Charles City. For a fall account of his location here,
and particulars concerning other early comers to this point, see the
introductory portion of the first chapter. Mr. Kelly chose this
spot for the eligibility of its situation and the water-power. The
river crossing here was known as the *' ford " of the Cedar, and
had been the location of a Winnebago village. Jerome Watson
came with Mr. Kelly, but did not like the place so well, and went
down the river, purchasing near Bradford. After entering his land
here, Mr. Kelly returned to Wisconsin to make preparations for a
permanent location the following spring. Accordingly, in the
spring of 1851, he returned to this place; but his family did not
come until 1854, when they erected a cabin on the spot where the
Christian church now stands.
During this year, 1852, about twenfty-five families arrived, among
whom was John Blunt, who built the first house on the east side
of the river, raising it on the 10th of June. This was at what is
now the west corner of Hulin and Joslin streets, where the cellar
may yet be seen. Others were Edward Haskell, Horton Miinde-
ville and Dr. Bobert L. Freeman, who erected a log house on the
west side and used it for a store.
Freemcm. — ^This was the first village plat laid out in the present
county of Floyd, the date being April 8, 1854. The county was
not then organized. This village was on the southwest side of the
river, and a copy of the plat was recorded in Chickasaw County, by
order of James H. Lyon, Judge. In said order it appears that Dr.
Freeman and Mr. Mandeville acknowledged that the disposition
of the land as shown by said plat, was ''with their free con-
sent and in accordance with their desire." The surveyors certifi-
(668)
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CHASLEB^OITY. 669
cate, made by Seth BiohardBon, Sarveyor, states that the sitaation
of said plat is on the south half of the northwest qaarter of
section 12, township 95, 16; and that the streets running north
and south are sixtj-six feet wide, and those east and west,
sixty feet wide; that the blocks are 300 feet north and south, by
820 east and west, with an alley of twenty feet running through
the middle of each block north and south. The blocks are indicated
on the plat by letters; to wit, from A to S, inclusive, with block J
omitted, and in lieu thereof a block marked ^^ Public Square," now
occupied by the Fourth Ward School building.
St. Charles. — ^The original town plat of St Charles was dedicated
by Joseph Kelly and Melinda Kelly, his wife, in an article dated
Sept. 22, 1854, which article was acknowledged before 6. Dunn-
widdio. Notary Public, with a certificate attached, signed by David
Wiltse, Prosecuting Attorney, acting Judge, in the absence of the
county judge, stating that he was satisfied that the requirements of
the code of Iowa had been fully complied with. This certificate
was signed Jan. 18, 1855. Said plat was situated upon a portion
of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and the south-
east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 1, and the north
hall of the northeast quarter of section 12, in township 95
north, range 15 west of the fifth meridian. The streets are at
an angle of north 32 ^ east, so as to be at right angles with
the streets parallel with the river. The plat consists of eighteen
square blocks, 264 feet square, and six half-sized blocks on the
north side. Block nine of the plat was dedicated as a public square,
and is still so used.
When Mr. Kelly settled here, he brought with him his son
Charles, then a lad of fourteen or fifteen years of age, and, thinking
that a boy courageous enough to go out thus into an unknown and
an unbroken land ought to be remembered, he called the ^^ford''
Charlestown, in his honor. But in the course of time it was found
that there was another Charlestown, in this State. The name ot
this plaoe was then changed to St Charles; but the fates were still
against them, for there was another St Charles in the State;
namely, in Madison County. Hence, in 1860, the postoffice was
changed to its present name, Charles City. The name of the
original town has never been formally changed. In 1857 Dr. N.
H. Palmer laid off an addition on the east side, with the streets
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670 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
corre8i>onding with the cardinal points of the compass, and called
the plat** Charles City."
During the latter part of February, 1867, St. Charles was
incorporated by the Legislature as a town or village, changing th
name to "St. Charles City,** and the ^^St. Chivies BepuhUoan
IntelUgenoer^^ forthwith for one issue changed its name to
** Cha/rleB City Bepiiblicafi IntdUgenoer^^^ considering the " St,'*
superfluous. The result accorded with the InUlUgenc&r*8 sugges-
tion, both city and postoffice being since known by the pretty
name of ** Charles City."
Thisjear, 1854, the village grew rapidly, the county was organ-
ized, by . the election of officers in August, and St Charles was
selected as the county seat. Freeman's was the first store in the
place, and the first hotel was that of Gilbert & Pooler, opened the
previous year.
A company of capitalists from Bockford, 111., afterward bought
up a large interest in the town from Mr. Kelly, so that in 1855 the
proprietors of the town were Joseph Kelly, Duncan Ferguson, B.
M. Waller, Milo Gilbert, Wm. Hulin, Luke Joslin, R. M. Brant-
ingham and William Spriggs. Lots were for sale by Wiltse &
Fairfield.
Dr. Freeman was the first postmaster at this point, the office
being in his store on the west side. He was succeeded in 1856 by
John Blunt, who of course had the office in his store on the east
side. The next postmaster was S. W. Stanberry, the next, Dr. J.
W. Smith, who was succeeded in 1869 by B. F. Wright, the present
incumbent In the chapter of Miscellaneous items a farther
acconnt is given of the post-offices and post routes of 'the county,
with anecdotes.
Kelly & Co.'s Addition to St Charles was made May 29, 1857. It
consisted of eighty-two full and fractional blocks, lying on all sides
of the original plat of St Charles, and was platted by Joseph and
Miranda Kelly, Milo and M. C. Gilbert, B. M. and E. J. Waller,
B. M. and J. Brantingham, William Hulin, Luke Joslin, George
E. and E. B. D. Woodward (by their attorney, Duncan Ferguson),
and Duncan and Agues M. Fers^uson. The dedication was duly
acknowledged, at the above date, and approved before J. V. W.
Montague, County Clerk.
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OHABLES OITY. 671
Gilbert's Addition consieted of twelve fall and four half blocks,
being the southeast quarter of the northwest qnarter of section 12,
township 95, 16. The streets are with the cardinal points of the
compass, those rannin^ east and west being a continuation of the
streets of Freeman, sixty feet wide, and the streets north and south
sixty-six feet wide. The plat was dedicated by Truman T. and Almira
Gilbert, June 20, 1857. This addition was named ^ Charleston.''
Kelly's Addition to St. Charles was made only four days after-
ward. It consisted of two blocks, numbered 27 and 28, and
were dedicated to the county of Floyd, block 28, to be occupied
by the court-house and grounds, and block 27, to be disposed of
as the county authorities saw fit. This subdivision was surveyed
by Bonaldson & Lee, Surveyors.
'^Charles City" is a small plat as an eastern suburb, consisting
of four full and four half blocks. It is the southwest quarter
of the southwest quarter of section 6, Township 95, 15, and was
made by Dr. N. H. Palmer, April 3, 1858, the dedication being
acknowledged on that day before Wm. 6. Fairfield, Notary Public,
and approved by David Ripley, County Judge.
Lane's Addition to the City of St. Charles consisting of seventy-
four full and fractional blocks, was duly dedicated by Robert T.
and Mary Lane, Dee. 22, 1864, before Duncan Ferguson, Notary
Public, and approved by Abner Root, County Judge. It was
surveyed and platted by David Wiltse, Surveyor. It lies on all
sides of the previously platted St. Charles and additions, and squares
thecity out to theGt>vernment survey of the land. It does not
•extend over into any other section except No. 6, township 95, 15.
Holcomb & Ferguson's Subdivision of lots 15 and 16 in block
139, of Lane's subdivision of St. Charles was made June 9, 1869,
on Park street and joining the west of Iowa street
Taylor's Subdivision of lots 17 and 18, in block 131, of Lane's
Addition, was made May 2, 1871, at the comer of the county
snd the town line roads, by Charles M. Taylor.
The manner in which Main street came to be located where it is,
is somewhat interesting. In the fall of 1853 John Blunt proposed
to A. L. Collins to build a store in partnership. The latter, accept-
ing, cut and hewed out some logs during the ensuing winter.
Employing a man to haul them in the spring, the teamster asked
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672 HIBTOBY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
him, " Where shall I unload the logsr*—" Oh," replied Collins,
*' anywhere over there [pointing] where you can find a stake.''
No thought was then entertained of any importance in laying out
streets or the precise location and situation of a building. Main
street was for many years known as ^' Mill street.''
BABLY SBTTLEBS.
Of the fathers of Charles City, several remain here or in the
county to this day, as Joseph Kelly, A. L. Collins, Milo Gilbert,
G. B. Eastman, S. B. Starr, R. M. Waller, A. B. F. Hildreth
Sanford Harwood, B. F. Cheney, Dr. J. W. Smith, and others,
who are therefore well known to the public. Biographical
sketches of these veterans of Floyd County history appear else-
where in this volume, as in the chapters on the Courts and Bar
the Press etc. Luke Joslin, R. N. Brantingham and Wm. Hulin,
although among the original proprietors of St. Charles City, never
resided here, but rather at Rockford, 111., where they have long
since died. Jackson Spriggs died in Pennsylvania, Dr. Freeman
was here but a short lime. After selling a few lots in his plat, he
sold all his land here, about 1855, and removed to Elkadar, Clay-
ton County, la.
Duncan Ferguson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1809, and
came to America in 1851. Being an engineer and surveyor he
was always in public positions, and made for himself a good name
as a railroad engineer. Government surveyor or banker. In 1856
he, with others, came to Charles City, and laid out the village. He
resided here two years, doing a banking business in company with
G. B. Eastman, and returned to Rockford, 111., where he died in
May, 1882.
OTTY OFFIOEBS.
Charles City was incorporated as a city in the early part of 1869.
The first meeting of the City Council was held June 9, 1869, the
members thereof, and the other city officers having been elected
on the eighth of June. The first act of the council was to adopt
a motion made by C. A. Slocum, to the effect that the Mayor
should appoint a committee of three to prepare by-laws and ordi-
nances for the consideration of the council. Mayor Gilbert ap-
pointed C. A. Slocum, J. S. Root, and S. G. Bryant, who reported
at the next meeting of the council a set of ordinances, which were
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0HABLE8 OITY. 673
all adopted. In March, 1871, Charles City was ascertained to be a
"city of the second class."
The officers elected each year since the incorporation, have been
as follows:
1869. — ^Mayor, Milo Gilbert; Recorder, A. W, French; Marshal,
Charles P. Collins; Treasurer, Wm. Hausburg; Street Commis-
sioner, A. L. Collins; Conncilmen, S. G. Bryant, William Haus-
burg, J. S. Root, S. M. Wilson, C. A. Slocum.
1870.— Mayor, Milo Gilbert; Recorder, A. W. French; Mar-
shal, L. G. Burroughs; Treasurer, Wm. Hausburg, Street Com-
missioner, J. M. Miner; Councilmen, Jackson Wood, E. A.
Teeling, William Hausburg, Sanford Harwood, J. R. Waller.
1871. — ^Mayor, C. S. Otis; Recorder, George P. Morris; Mar-
shal, J. L. Ferris; Treasurer, H..C. Baldwin; Street Commissioner,
H. H. Case (resigned), S. G. Bryant (unexpired term); Councilmen,
E. Andrews, Dr. J. W. Smith, Charles A. Slocum, John Kuck, Dr.
W. L. Palmer.
1872.— Mayor, D. W. C. Duncan; Clerk, Eugene B. Dyke;
Marshal, S. O. Page; Treasurer, J. W. Lehmkuhl (resigned), H.
C. Baldwin (unexpired term); Solicitor, J. Evans Owens; Street
Com'r., S. O. Page; Councilmen: 1st Ward, C. W. Fletcher, J. G.
Patterson; 2d Ward, Sanford Harwood, Frank Burnhain; 3d Ward,
C. N. aark, F. T. Swift; 4th Ward, J. N. Parsons, John Howard.
1873. — Mayor, J. E. Owens; Clerk, Eugene B. Dyke; Marshal,
George Leaman; Treasurer, ll. C.Baldwin; Solicitor, J. Evans
Owens; Street Commissioner, George T. Leaman. Assessor, A. W.
French; Councilmen: 1st Ward, J. G. Patterson, C. W. Fletcher;
2d Ward, Frank Burnham, Sanford Harwood; 3d Ward, F. T.
Swift, A. H. Brackett; 4th Ward, J. N. Parsons, N. Phelps.
1874. — Mayor, J. E. Owens; Clerk, Eugene B. Dyke (resigned),
E. J. Gilbert (unexpired term); Marshal, L. M. Loper; Treas-
urer, Morton Wilbur; Solicitor, A. M. Harrison; Street Commis-
sioner, J. C. Stearns; Assessor, A. W. French; Councilmen: 1st
Ward, C. W. Fletcher, L. J. Waller; 2d Ward, Frank Burnham,
John Howard; 8d Ward, A. H. Brackett, Ira K. Lee; 4th Ward,
J. N. Parsons, N. Phelps.
1875.— Mayor, W. D. Balch; Clerk, J. S. Bradley^ Marshal,
L. M. Loper; Treasurer, Morton Wilbur; Solicitor, A. M. Harri-
son; Street Commissioner, J. C. Steams; Assessor, A. W. French;
Councilmen, Ist Ward, L. J. Waller, John Ferguson; 2d Ward,
John Howard, Frank Burnham; 3d Ward, Ira K. Lee, A. H.
Brackett; '4th Ward, N. Phelps, T. W. Qapp.
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674 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOCJNTY.
1876.— Mayor, 0. W. Fletcher;. Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal,
B. M. Loper; Treasurer, Morton Wilbur; Solicitor, S. P. Leland;
Street Oommissioner, J, 0. Stearns; Assessor, A. W. French;
Ooundlmen: 1st Ward, John Ferguson, GarlMerckel, Jr. ; 2d Ward,
George P. Morris, John Howard; 3d Ward, A. H. Brackett, E.
G. Barney; 4th Ward, T. W. Olapp, A. M. Thomas.
1877.— Mayor, 0. W. Fletcher; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal,
L. M. Loper; Treasurer, W. D. Balch; Solicitor, S. P. Leland;
Street Oommissioner, J. 0. Stearns; Assessor, A. W. French;
Oouncilraen: 1st Ward, Carl Merckel, Jr., John Ferguson; 2(i
Ward, John Howard, George P. Morris ; 8d Ward, E. G. Barney,
A. H. Bracket; 4th Ward, A. M. Thomas, Charles A. Slocum.
1878.— Mayor, C. W. Fletcher; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal,
Ira K. Lee; Treasurer, Morton Wilbur; Solicitor, A. M. Harrison;
Street Commissioner, J. C. Stearns; Assessor, A. W. French;
Oouncilmen: Ist Ward, John Ferguson, Carl Merckel, Jr. ; 2d Ward,
George P. Morris, John Howard; 3d Ward, A. H. Brackett, J. E .
Rich; 4th Ward, Charles A. Slocum, V. E. Bort.
1879. — Mayor, A. R Spriggs; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal, Ira
K. Lee; Treasurer, S. F. Farnham; Solicitor, A. M. Harrison;
Street Commissioner, T. C. Bumgardner; Assessor, A. W, French;
Councilmen: Ist Ward, George R. May, Eli Brownell; 2d Ward,
John Howard, T. A. Hand; 3d Ward, J. E. Rich, O. Pomeroy;
4th Ward, V. E. Bort, N. Phelps. •
1880. — Mayor, Carl Merckel, Jr.; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal,
L. M. Loper; Treasurer, George P. Morris; Solicitor, A. M. Har«
risen; Street Commissioner, T. C. Bamgardner; Assessor, Eli
Brownell; Councilmen: 1st Ward, Eli Brownell, George R. May;
2d Ward, John Howard, M. Martin; 8d Ward, O. Pomeroy,
George P. Smith; 4th Ward, N. Phelps, V. E. Bort.
1881.— Mayor, P. W. Burr; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal L.
M. Loper; Treasurer, George P. Morris; Solicitor, A. M.
Harrison; Street Commissioner, T. C. Bumgardner; Assessor, Eli
Brownell; Councilmen: Ist Ward, George R. May, C. M. Carr;
2d Ward, M. Martin, J. E. Owens; 3d Ward, George P. Smith,
Carl Merckel, Jr.; 4th Ward, V. E. Bort, E. A. Teeling.
1882.— Mayor, J. S. Trigg; Clerk, J. S. Bradley; Marshal,
George T. Leaman; Treasurer, W. E. Holbrook; Solicitor, P. W.
Burr; Street Commissioner, Charles Inglehart; Assessor, Eli
Brownell; Coancilmen: Ist Ward, C. M. Carr, W. A. G, Tripp;
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0HABLB8 onr. 676
2d Ward, J. H. Elliott, M. Martin; 3d Ward, Oarl Merckel, Jr.,
W. A. Fairbank; 4th Ward, E. A. Teeling, D. BL Fergnson.
Sometimes the city has elected a board of officers and aldermen
in favor of license, sometimes a board opposed to it, and occasion-
ally some of both parties at the same election. This year (1882)
the whole board is " no-license,'^
BUSIMBSS MBN IN KABLT DATS.
It will be interesting here to glance at the business directory of
St Charles from 1856 to 1860, as appeared by the bosiness cards
and advertisements in the IntdUgenoer during thos e years.
General Stores — Blunt & Collins, John Ferguson & Co., Wright
& McNabb, Wright & Bro., Cheney & Brackett, Montague & Co.,
JRampf, Lehmknhl & Co.
Boots and Shoes — Ferguson & Sampson.
Hardware — Gilbert & Waller, Ferguson & Stanley ("Mill street,
opposite the new hotel").
Drugs and Books — A. B. F. Hildreth, Hildreth & Carver (books,
wall paper, lands, marble works, etc.), Fessenden A Montague,
Smith & Atkinson.
Blacksmiths — Wm. M. Langstaff, Levi Schermerhorn, C. E.
Bigelow, R D. A C. E. Bigelow & Co., Franklin R. Wooley,
Wooley & Snyder.
Architects and Builders — ^Theodore Mix, James Jackson, Cole
•& Jackson.
Carpenters — Lutz & Twry.
Cabinet Maker — John Howard.
Painters — Heath & Atkinson, John Heath.
Tailor — ^T. Donohue.
Clocks, Watches and Jewelry — D. Gilbert, Haskins & Sawyer.
Harness and Saddlery — Pettit & Ferguson.
Livery — J. N. Montgomery.
Baker — John Muir.
Shingles — Uzziel Weeks;
Eeal Estate — A. L. Collins, Abner Root, Patterson, Lee &
Ronaldson (land agents, surveyors and civil engineers).
Law and Real Estate— Samuel B. Starr, G. G. Reiniger.
Law — A. K. Eaton, T. D. Pooler, Wm. H. Sawyer, French,
Wiltse & Fairfield, G. G. Reiniger, I. W. Card & R. G. Reiniger,
H. 0. Stinson, D. W. Poindexter, J. G. Patterson.
Justice of the Peace — Joshua Jackson.
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676 HIOTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Physicians — J. W. Smith (Eclectic), W. A. FesseDden, S.
Eiddill.
Bankers — Ferguson, Eastman & Go.
Insurance — Wm. B. Fairfield.
Hotels— Joseph Kelly (" St. Charles Hotel''), Christopher Mar-
tin (leased the former in February, 1857), Smith & Goddard (opened
a new hot^l Jan. 1, 1857, called the " Magnolia House").
Miller — Joseph Kelly.
Nursery — Geo. E. Dunbar.
Sugar Mill — Sanford Howard. (Probably the first in the county).
Newspaper — St. Charles Intelligencer^ started July 31, 1856,
the first number of which was sold at auction for $20. A full
account is given in the chapter on the Press.
We now reach a point in the growth of Charles City, where^
according to the law of divergence of functions, as taught in
modern scientific works in connection with evolution, material and
moral interests differentiate into distinct departments, as business
associations, factories, banks, schools, temperance organizations,
military affairs, railroads, churches, clubs and a great variety of
other movements ; and while most of these are treated to some
extent, and some of them thoroughly, in more appropriate chap-
ters in this work, it is our duty here more fully to detail those
things which in their bearings are confined almost or quite exclu-
sively to Charles City. Our order will be, first, factories and
banks ; then churches, secular societies, educational affairs and
miscellaneous.
MANUFAOTOBIES, ETC.
Water-Power. — ^A log dam was first built at St. Charles in
1854, by Joseph Kelly, the original owner. The same year and
the year following he started a saw-mill for an upright saw, and
also the foundation of a flouring mill ; and in the summer of 185
he entered into contract with Col. John P. Knight, to start a three-
run flouring mill. This was built, and put in operation in
February 1856 ; and at that time it was the only mill in Floyd
County, or indeed in all this part of the country, the nearest
neighboring mill being at Cedar Falls. It was known as the
frontier mill, and for many years it alone held sway throughout
this region, patrons coming even from Minnesota, — ^from as far
north as Blue Earth County. This mill was operated until 1875^
when it was torn down to make room for the present structure.
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0HABLE8 OITT. 677
The CharleB CUy Water-Power Oompcmy was organized in
Marcb, 1876, with Milo Gilbert, President ; John G. Patterson,
Secretary ; and W. D. Balch, Treasurer. The Board of Directors
comprised the above named men and F. T. Swift, John P. Taylor,
B. G. Seiniger and A. B. Spriggs. There were seventy-two stock-
holders, subscribing from $250 to $8,000 each in $25 shares,
making a total of $100,000. They immediately assessed ten per
cent, on the stock and proceeded to build a new dam.
March 4, 1876, the water-power was conveyed to this company,
the deed filed for record, and the keys to the grist-mill given up
to President Gilbert, who employed E. A, Teelingto take charge
of the same. Mrs. Kelly carried out her verbal agreement to
the letter and subscribed $4,000 stock. She also yielded the claim
for rent against the lessee of the mill property. She sold the
power for $25,000, after she had been previously offered $50,000,
and $70,000, so desirous was she to revive business and property
value in Charles City.
The board immediately took possession of the old mill which
stood upon the water-power erected in 1855 by Joseph Kelly, Sr.,
and operated the same until some time in July following, when it
was taken down to make room for the present mill and improve-
ments then being made by the company ; and the erection of the
dam and the digging of the race through the solid rock for the
present flouring mill power continued until the south side basement
was built. The present mill was put in operation in February
1876, and the "Water-Power Company has continued to operate it
until the present time. It is now under the management of H. C.
Ireland, Superintendent, who has had charge of all the matters
pertaining to the company for the last three years. The company
at present is ofl5cered by Milo Gilbert, President ; J. P. Taylor,
Vice-President ; S. F. Farnham, Treasurer ; and Alexander
Spriggs, Secretary.
The works consist of a flouring mill, with a capacity of 200
barrels of flour per day ; one sixty-inch turbine wheel, under a
nine-foot four-inch head of water, being equal to about sixty-five
horse-power. It has a full set of Stephens corrugated rolls, and all
modem machinery of a first-class flouring mill. The brands
manufactured here are the ** Directors', " " Fancy Patent, " ** Min-
nesota Patent, '^ ** Straight*' and "Family." The stracture has
also attached to it a feed mill for wheat, rye, buckwheat and corn,
consisting of two run of stone, propelled by a Leffel turbine wheel
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678 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUinT.
affording an eighty-five horsepower. A portion of the power is now^
being attached to the plow factory in process of erection by the
Charles City Plow Oompany. The presses of the IrUelUgenoer
office are also run by this power, communicated by cable over the
tops of the intervening buildings.
This great flour manufactory is called the '^ Centennial Hills, "
in honor of the year it was put in operation. Much of the time it is
run night and day, and the products are marketed mostly at home
and in Dakota.
The present dam is substantial and neat, permitting a beautiful
sheet of water to fall over its crest and slide down an apron at an
angle of forty-five degrees, thus affording a pleasant and attractive
scene to all passers by upon the bridge a few rods below. A
remarkable feat is performed here occasionally by some young men
which we ought not to leave unnoticed. Undressed they proceed out
to near the middle of the dam, and slide headlong down the apron,
a distance of about twelve feet, into the depths below, sometimes
upon their hackstand sometimes with their faces downward. Like
loons they emerge in the distance unharmed and happy.
OhoHea City Plow JPhotory. — ^This institution had its origin
in the efforts of its present senior proprietor, F. R Wooley, who in
1856 commenced blacksmithing here in a small way, and in 1859
commenced the manufacture of plows in this place, whick were
superior to those of Eastern make. In 1862 he built a factory
which he conducted until 1876, where the present shop stands,
opposite the east corner of the public square. The business so in-
creased that this year (1882), the company erected, across Main
street from the Centennial Mills, a three-story brick building,
34x80 feet, at a cost of about $3,500, with power derived by shaft
and pulley from the mills just mentioned, equal to twenty-five
horse power, leased for ten years. The machinery and other
works are of course not included in the above estimate of cost
The company is about to be formed, or re-organized, on the stock
principle, and will manufacture plows for all grades of farm work;
breakhig, riding, sulky, com plows, etc., and make repairs.
They use patent steel, branding their plows after the name of
the city, and contemplate extending their trade over the broad
prairies of the North and West.
**J?ow Sarrow^^ Ccmpamy. — ^The initiatory of the business of this-
company is given in the biographical sketch of H. S. Howard, in
a subsequent portion of this work. The harrows made by this
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OHABLES OITY. 6
company were patented by John E. Perkinson, of Wisconsin, and
introduced here by Mr. Howard. In the winter of 1877-'78,
Messrs. Howard and Gnlchers made 120 of these harrows and
began to wholesale them. They sent a few to Fargo, Dakota, and
Lake Fark, Minn. The winter of 1878, 300 were manufactured,
under the firm name of Quinby & Howard, and they extended
their trade to a number of points in Minnesota, Dakota, and
Iowa.
In 1879-'80, Mr. W.H. Davis purchased Mr. Quinby's interest,
and the firm became H. S. Howard & Oo., and they manufactured
600 harrows. The winter of 1880-.'81, Mr. Howard, W. H. Davis,
and Walter Davis from Wisconsin, manufactured 2,000 harrows,^
and built a small factory near Mr. Tait's Tow Mill in Charles Oity,
using Mr. Tait's power. In July, 1881, H. 0. Raymond, of Oharles
City, became a partner in the business, furnishing one-half th&
cash capital; and the fall of 1881 and spring of 1882, the company
manufactured between 3,000 and 4,000 harrows. The spring of
1882, Walter Davis retired from the firm, and W. H. Davis and
H. 0. Raymond, deciding that the business demanded new shopa
and better facilities for manufacturing, built their present shops,
adding improved machinery, and an engine. They now occupy a
building 250 feet long by 24 wide, and give direct employment to
sixteen men. This factory is one of the leading manufactories of
Charles City.
The (JKa/rle% City I^urniture Manufactory^ by Stevens, Hering^
& Co., was established in April, 1870, under the firm of Elkins &
Hering. In 1872 the firm became Stevens, Herinf^ & Co., the par-
ties being B. W. Stevens, W. C. Hering and E. J. Fisher; the lat-
ter is manager of the factory. This institution gives employment
to twenty-five men, who make fine furniture of all kinds, bank
and store counters, church, office and lodge furniture, shelving,
etc. This stock is sold both by wholesale and retail at their store
on Main street. This building is twenty-two feet front by ninety
feet deep, and two stories high. One man is employed as a travel-
ing agent This is one of the leading business institutions of
Charles City.
JEZm SjpringB Or&amery. — This is a new and rapidly growing in-
stitution, located about twenty rods below the bridge on the west
side of the river, where there is a large spring of perfectly pure
water, shaded by a noble elm. The original building is two stories,.
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680 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
with basement 24^x40 feet in size, for a cheese factory, and a
wing 18 X 36 for a creamery, two stories high. The lower floors
are in a quarry where stone has been dug. One basement floor is
of wood, with a drain; the other is flagged with smooth lime-
stone. In one comer of the cheese factory is the boiler room, for
furnishing steam to heat the milk from which the cheese is made.
This room is so close that no heat gets through the partition or
emerges through the door; so the only heat which gets there
must come through the steam pipes into the milk vats. A stone
vault or sub-cellar is cut off from the creamery of the basement,
where the finished butter is kept before shipping. In the main
butter-room are water reservoirs, where the cream is raised or
cooled before churning.
On the second and third floors we find the storage for cheese
while in process of curing, and another room for receiving the milk
and cream daily. One churn changes cream into 160 to 250 pounds
of butter at a churning.
During the season of 1882, a large addition to the south side of
this building has been made, one story and a deep basement.
The present proprietors are Burt White, J. S. Trigg and H. C.
Kaymond.
G. H. Bennett, in the spring of 1863, put in operation a good
carding machine in Charles City. Mr. Rider, of Floyd, a disabled
soldier and an experienced workman, was employed to superin-
tend it.
Ireat dk Klepper^a Ma/rbU Works are located on Main street near
corner of Water street. These works were first establistfed by
E. B. Moore some ten years ago. Six years since Mr. Treat
bought out the yard and conducted the business alone until
August, 1882, when the presentjcopartnership was formed. They
turn out first-class work.
W. Winternik started the first marble works in the county eighteen
years ago. At that time there were but two marble yards in the
State — one at Dubuque and a small shop at Cedar Falls. His
works are located on Main street, near Eelly street. He works all
kinds of marble, granite, etc., and has a good custom. He formerly
worked in Chicago, commencing there thirty-five years ago.
Quarries. — The Cedar River, near Charles City, is lined with
good building-stone, and several quarries have been worked. A
number of beautiful buildings — in fact all the best of them — are
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CHABLK8 cnr. 681
bnilt of this etone, as the Union House block, Dr. Smith's busi-
ness block and residence, the two school-houses, two churches, etc.
Some of this stone is capable of receiving a very high polish, and
hence has been called " St. Charles marble." One species has
been used for grave-stones but for this purpose it is not very
durable.
IMPBOVEBfBNTS GENBBALLY.
In the winter of 1871-'2, the enterprising citizens of Charles
City began to feel that special efforts should be made t6 secure
manufactories and public institutions, as additional improvements
to their beautiful town. Accordingly Feb. 3, 18.72, a meeting was
held and an executive committee appointed to forward the interests
of the place. Feb. 10 a mass meeting was held at Raymond's
Hall, where Judge Reini^er, being called upon, stated the object
of the meeting. He said that Charles City had attained its full
growth unless something be done in the way of public improve-
ments; that there were projects for securing a State Normal School,
manufacturing establishments of various kinds and for the location
here of the machine shops of the I. & D. division of the M. & St. P.
R. R. After remarks were made by several gentlemen respecting
normal schools, Hon. J. G. Patterson offered the following reso-
lution which was adopted: " That Hon. R. G. Reiniger, Prof. I.Shep-
ard and Mr. J. F. Spaulding be appointed a committee to correspond
with our Representatives in the Legislature on the subject of the
passage of a normal school bill; that they select in or near Charles
City a suitable site for such a school, ascertain for what it can be
purchased, and learn from the citizens individually, as far as
possible, what can be relied on in the way of money and means
as a donation to secure the location of such a school at this place.
The question of asking for the location of railroad shops here at
this time was a delicate one, as the county had been so backward
in paying up its railroad tax. After considerable discussion, it
was agreed to ask the railroad company how much bonus they
would require, over and above the unpayed taxes due, to induce
them to locate their machine shops at this place.
Mr. Taylor, from the committee on manufactures, reported that
$250 had been subscribed for buying a lot for Stevens, Elkins
& Co., to build a furniture factory upon, and asked for further
time; which was granted.
43
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682 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
The water-power question again came up, and after some deliber*
ation a committee was appointed to ascertain the terms for which
the water-power could be bought or leased, and to ask Mr. Joseph
Kelly, the proprietor, how much he would help the enterprise.
Another committee was appointed to look after the manufactur-
ing interests of Charles City generally. Milo Gilbert, R. Q.
Reiniger and J. P. Taylor constituted this committee. Messrs.
Patterson, Mahara and Boulton offered donations of ground for
manufactories. It was stated that during the preceding year
$20,000 worth of plows had been sold in the city, which could just
as well have been manufactured here.
Meanwhile the Intelligencer was working industriously to ad-
vance all these local interests.
At the next meeting, one week subsequently, most of the com-
mittees reported progress, and were continued in duty. On the
water-power, the committee reported Mr. Kelly's terms, and were
continued. Subscriptions were taken for this enterprise to the
amount of $7,000, and the committee instructed to raise this to
$10,000, as a bonus to any company that would purchase and im-
prove the water-power. The enterprise of Stevens, Elkins & Co.
was reported as making: progress, a respectable subscription was
raised **on the spot," and the committee instructed to "push
things.*' At the next meeting, Feb. 24, $600, the amount required,
was raised for the furniture factory. A. R. Spriggs, A. G. Case
and J. G. Patterson were appointed a committee to secure the
services of a competent engineer for examining the water-power
and determining its capacity.
In March a letter from Mr. Lawler was published, informing the
citizens of Charles Cky that the Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. Go.^
being embittered against the county for its dilatoriness in paying
the tax it had' agreed to pay, peremptorily declined to locate their
shops at this place.
June 1 the committee on the water-power reported that they had
entered into a contract with Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, whereby they had
the refusal of the power for forty-five days for any company or
corporation that might be organized to purchase the same, at
$40,000, payable $4,000 in cash, and the balance on or before
ninety-nine years from date, with interest at eight and three-fourths
per cent., payable semi-annually. The committee was instructed
to proceed with the raising of subscriptions as speedily as practi-
cable.
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CHABLK8 CITT. 688
The idea of levying a tax was advanced, but, after some discas*
sion, was abandoned. Then the plan of raising stock, in $100
shares, was proposed and adopted. A committee was appointed to
draft articles of incorporation, and all hands resolved to rash
bnsiness.
At a meeting held in the Christian clinrch, April 30, 1881, to
encourage the proposed railroad and local enterprises generallji
F. A. Koziene, H. C. Raymond, A. R. Spriggs, V. G. Barney,
J. P. Taylor and Milo Gilbert were appointed a committee to pre-
pare a constitution and by-laws for a board of trade, with power to
correspond with railroad companies and capitalists in relation to
any of the interests of Charles City; to call a meeting to receive
their report and for organization. May 17 following this company
organized as the " Charles City Improvement Association," with
constitution and by-laws, and by the election of the following of-
ficers: F. A. Roaiene, President; H. Raymond, Vice-President;
D. Townsend, Secretary; W. D. Balch, Treasurer; A. R Spriggs,
V. C. Barney and Dr. J. W. Smith, Executive Committee. Ar-
ticle II of the constitution states the object of the association to be
'* to promote manufacturing industries now located or to be located
here; to encourage the development of desirable enterpriso=i of
whatever character, looking to the material advancement and im-
provement of our city." The constitution was signed by nearly
or quite all the business men of the city, who took hold in ** solid
earnest." The present officers are the same as at first elected.
The association is now watching for opportunities.
THB BRIDGE.
A bridge across the Cedar at Charles City that would withstand
wind and flood must necessarily be expensive, and the early
settlers needed such a bridge as much as do the people at the pres-
ent day; but they had not the means for building it. Hence
much exercise of patience was required, in waiting for means to be
accumulated sufficient to construct a reliable bridge. A part of
the season the river could be " forded," and the rest it could gen-
erally be ferried, except when flood-wood or ice or high water alone
prevented. Ferry charges were often high, and the indignant
citizens would make up a little fund and run a free ferry for a time.
Dec. 19, 1867, a bridge meeting resolved to proceed at once.
Mr. Applebee presented a plan. On the 23d, S. Wiggin's plan
was adppted. Bridge to be on Mill street. Committee on build-
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S84 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
iby— Milo Gilbert, Ira Brackett, P. 0. Turner, D. W. Poindexter,
K. M. Waller, Saranel Hacklej, I. K. Lee and R. W. Humphrej.
$2,200 was subscribed, and contract let to Mr. Wiggin, to be as-
sisted by P. C. Turner. Length 195 feet; estimated cost $2,086.50.
It seems, however, that the work did not go on, until in January,
1858, when it was started, but was carried away in the flood of
that year. It was a huge wooden 'arch, with a curve of ten or
twelve feet.
Dec. 11, 1660, a meeting was held to take into consideration the
practicability of erecting a bridge across the Cedar at that place.
Plans were submitted by O. D. Spaulding and O. Allbee, and a
committee appointed to inspect them and report at the next
meeting, December 22, at the Stone Hall. This meeting, how-
ever, was held a week later, when a plan was submitted by F. W.
Crosby, of Tama County, and a committee appointed to raise funds.
But little was done for some time. Other meetings were held,
and the work dragged along, and the bridge was not really com-
pleted until March 28, 1864. In 1866 the most of the bridge and
one pier were swept away, and a new wooden bridge was put up in
its place, being completed the last week of March, 1867.
In 1870 a beautiful and substantial iron bridge was completed
at this point. It is of the '• L. E. Truesdell patent, " an iron
double truss, 240i feet in length, two spans, respectively 123^ and
117 feet, with a roadway eighteen feet in the clear, and sidewalks
five feet in the clear. Tiie bridge is all of iron, except the floor
beams and planking.
By contract the bridge was to cost $45 per lineal foot, or
$10,822.50 for the whole structure, to bo paid for in '* Floyd
County Bridge Warrants, " bearing ten per cent, interest. "W. H.
and L. E. Truesdell, of Belvidere, 111., were the contractors.
The stone work is substantial and well finished, and cost $3600.
It was built under the supervision of Col. J. P. Knight and Judge
A. L. Collins.
This bridge was completed June 8, following, and a test of its
strength and solidity instituted which satisfied all parties. In 1882
it was replanked and repainted.
OHABLBS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
For most of the following history we are indebted to the paper
prepared and read last year by Miss Willian Enapp, of Charles
City, now Mrs. Charles Dexter, of Minneapolis, Minn.
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CHABLE8 CITY. 686
In 1855 there were very few families in Charles City, but those
few were an enterprising people. They mast have a school, and
thej did. A small house 18 x 20 feet, built and owned by San-
ford Harwood, and located about where Jud^ Reiniger's resi-
dence now stands, was rented, Miss Melinda Palmer engaged as
teacher, and the little school quietly opened. In the following
winter Dr. J. M. Parsons assumed the title of teacher, and gath-
ered his little flock in a building situated not twenty feet from the
center of this room, or, to be m:^re exact, on the present site of
the Savings Bank.
The next summer Miss Palmer's name appeared again as teacher.
This was the summer, 1856, when the first school-house was built.
Mr. Sanford Harwood had the contract and erected a frame house
26 X 30 feet in size, on the block since occupied by our High
School building. Eleven years it was a shelter and a second home
for the children, and when it could no longer hold them, it was sold
and removed to lots back of Woolley & Snyder's foundry.
In the summer of 1827 Miss L. £. Raymond, now Mrs. Mc-
Einley, was placed at the head of the school, which she tells us
then numbered sixty pupils. She describes it as a happy, profit-
able term. She was succeeded in the winter by J. M. Brainard,
a gentleman who is described as possessing a violin and a lovely
little wife.
The season of 1857 was one of great prosperity, and an ^^ acad-
emy " was started in Charles City, May 4, by J. M. Brainard,
teacher. " Ainsworth's Academy," at present, is a select school of
fifty-two pupils, taught by Mrs. Miner.
This closes the first period of development. Up to this time the
school was supported by a pro rata tax, each man paying according
to the number of children he sent, thereby exempting all the old
bachelors and bald-headed men, but now a new law revolutionized
matters. It was provided that each civil township should become
a township district, to be divided into subdi&tricts each of which
must have a school at least twenty-four weeks in the year. One
director elected from each subdistrict formed a board of directors,
who should organize and have charge of all the schools in the
township district. It was also provided that the schools be sup-
ported by a tax on all assessed property. In accordance with the
new law, the people of St. Charles Township elected a board of
directors in the spring of 1858. May 15 those gentlemen met at
the oflice of Dr. J. W. Smith, organized, and elected Dr. J. M.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Parsons, President ; Harvey Kellogg, Vice-President ; and Dr. J.
W. Smith, Secretary ; at that time the most important office. The
other directors were A. "W. French, R. W. Humphrey and William
Harvey, all active men and willing to work for the public good.
With the organization of this board, a new impetus was given to
the growth of popular education. Soon after, the board fixed the
boundaries of six subdistricts, that part of Charles City lying west
of the Cedar River becoming District No. 2, and on the east side
District No. 3. We shall confine this history during the second
and third periods to the latter.
CHABLES CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Nov.], 1858, we find it recorded in Dr. Smith's well known
hand: "B. T. Catlin is employed as teacher in Subdistrict No.
8 at $36 per month, " and also: ''Voted that twenty-four days be
considered a month. " Mr. Brant Tecumseb Catlin is described as
a young man of tine education and gentlemanly bearing. He
passed away from these scenes years ago, and now lives in one of
the Eastern Stites.
In the spring of 1859 we pause to record the election of Mr. Asa
W. French as Secretary of the School Board, an office which he
continued to hold for twenty years. During this sumuier Miss
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OHABLES OITY. 687
Mary D. Cheney was installed as school-ma'am over the large
tangle of children. In September it is recorded: "Voted, that if
the director can hire a room for $3 per month, and a teacher for
$3.50 per week, we support two schools in Sabdistrict No. 3 the
coming winter." For two or three years previous, Misses Olive
and Mary Cheney had taught a select school in a small building on
the lots back of what is known as the Ely House barn. This room
was rented of them for the winter, afterward bought and repaired
And the school was divided, Miss Betsey Hunter, now Mrs. Atkins,
of Decorah, selected as teacher of the primary department, and Mr.
A. W. French placed over the higher school. Mr. French's report
at the close of the winter term is the oldest in existence.
The two departments were continued during the summer follow-
ing under Miss Mary D. Cheney and Miss Ellen L. Wilbur. In
the winter, Mr. E. J. McClelland took Miss Cheney's place in the
higher school, the primary having no change. He continued at the
head of the school one year, when he went into the southern part
of the State, and word has since been received that he is dead.
Feb. 28, 1861, a school meeting was held, when the principal
business was to devise means for buildmg a union school-house.
For this purpose it was desired to unite Subdistricts Kos. 2 and
3, but a majority of the residents were opposed to union; some
were opposed conditionally. A resolution was adopted for locating
the school building on that side of the river where the largest sub.
scription should be raised. Estimates of cost of the building were
submitted.
About this time 0. A. Slocum was engaged as principal.
Next follows, in the summer of 1862, Win. N. Witted and Miss
Katie Wright, and in the succeeding winter the same gentleman
and Mrs. Alma L. Bennett. Nothing, save the names, has been
learned of this year's labor.
In the summer of 1863 Miss Ellen L. Wilbur entered the higher
school, was married in August, and signs her report with the name
of Ellen L. Slocum. Miss Olive O. Cheney was engaged in the
'primary school the same term, and continued there three years and
a half, with the exception of one term. In the winter of 1868 and
1864, Mr. Wm. N. Witted returned and continued in the school
during the summer of 1864. Mr. Witted is spoken of highly as a
very good teacher. We have learned that after leaving Charles
City he went to South America, and there died of yellow fever.
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688 HISTOBT OP FLOYD COUNTT.
MiB8 Matilda Smith took his place in the school, and Miss O.
O. Ohenej having gone East for the winter, Miss Lida Peters was
engaged for the little people. This brings us to the spring of 1865.
The school law of 1858, previoaslj mentioned, had, with a few
changes, become established beyond the fear of a repeal. Good
houses were bailt in nearly fdl the sabdistricts, for which the
township district had paid. The increased nnmber of children
demanded a new school-honse in No. 3. At a meeting of the
Board of Directors, Dr. Smith being President, the people of
Charles City asked, through liim, for a house not costing less than
$8,000. " You can't have it, " said the board. " We must, '' said
Dr. Smith. After much skirmishing it was finally voted to build
a stone house, 50x60 feet in dimension, two stories high, each
story to be fifteen feet in the clear, basement eight feet ; we
quote from the record. Limited by these instructions, which the
Doctor dared not ask to have changed, he went to Chicago and
procured the plans and specifications, which were afterward, with
a few alterations, accepted by the board. Bonds bearing ten per
cent, interest were readily taken.
ST. OHABLES GRADED SCHOOL.
Probably the first instance in the State of Iowa where a town-
ship established a graded school under the general school law, was
the building of the magnificent school edifice at Charles City in
1865-'66; and for its erection and completion great credit is due Dr.
J. W. Smith, then President of the School Board of St. Charles
District Township. Besides devoting much of his time to the
work, he advanced $175 from his own pocket for plans and specifi-
cations from Bloomington, III.
At the annual meeting of the district township in March, 1865, it
was voted that a school-house be built, to cost not less than $8,000 ;
and the contract for its erection was made shortly afterward. Then
the difficult question arose, how shall the money be obtained to
pay the contractors ? The treasury contained less than $1,400,«
and the law, which limited the levy of taxes to five mills on the
dollar, would give less than $2,000 per annum for school-house
purposes in the entire township district ; and out ot these funds
two other school-houses were to be built in other parts of the town,
ship. These latter houses were built, one of stone, 22 x 32 feet
on the ground, and fourteen feet in the clear, at a cost of
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OHABLES onr. 689
$1,400 ; the other of wood, 20 x 30^ feet on the ground
and twelve feet in the clear, at a cost of $900. These were
baih at the same time that work on the larger strncture in the
village was going forward. The financial problem was solved by
issuing warrants upon the treasury from time to time, bearing
interest at ten per cent., payable annually. These warrants were
cashed at par by various citizens friendly to the enterprise, and
thus the means were provided to carry forward and complete the
work.
Joseph Johnson, of Cedar Falls, was awarded the contract to do
the mason work on the large house in the village. The work com-
menced June 28, 1865, but the contractor did not proceed as
rapidly with it as was expected, and winter came before the walls
were up. He concluded his bid was too low and went to Kansas.
His bondsmen, however, made good the contract, probably at a
slight loss.
The carpenter and joiner work was done by Bobinson & Elliott,
of Cedar Falls.
The building was completed by Jan. 1, 1867. It is 50x60
feet on the ground, and three stories high. The lower rooms, in
the basement, are ten feet in theclear,and the second and third stories
are each fifteen feet in the clear. The house is surmounted by an
exceedingly tasteful tower, or belfry, which gives the whole struct-
ure a beautiful and commanding appearance. The material of
which the walls are built is a handsome gray limestone, quarried
near town. The windows are large, arched and elaborately finished.
The plastered walls are all hard-finished, smooth, and white as
snow. The wood- work is all grained in imitation of oak. There
are six large rooms, each capable of seating from seventy-five to one
hundred pupils. The seats and desks were purchased in Chicago.
They are made of cherry, and are of two kinds, — one the combina-
tion seat and desk, and the other the collegiate desk and chair.
Each room is slated entirely around, for black-board work. The
reception room is situated between the termini of the two opposite
flights of stairs in the second story. Ventilation good, closets
large and commodious, and all the work well done.
The contract price of the house, for mason and joiner work, was
$10,661.67, which dijes not include the furnishing bill. The amount
paid for stoves and desks and placing the same in the different
rooms ready for use, was $1,294.35, makin^the total cost $11,956.02.
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690 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
During the building of this house labor was dear, new stone
quarries had to be opened, and nearly all the lumber had to be
hauled from Cedar Falls or Waverly, a distance of thirty to forty-
five miles.
The opening of the first term of school in this building was form-
ally announced for Monday, Jan. 21, 1867, with D. W. C. Dun-
can, A.B., as principal, assisted by a competent corps of teachers.
The school opened with four departments, — primary, intermediate,
grammar and high school, — the latter comprising spelling, algebra,
natural philosophy, chemistry, geology, astronomy, higher mathe-
matics, physical geography, languages, bookkeeping and analysis.
Tuition free to all students residing within the towaship, and $5 to
$8 per term to others.
GENERAL SOaOOL HISTORY RESUMED.
During the summer, while the work of the new school-house
was going on, Miss Matilda Smith continued in the higher school,
but in the following winter Miss Shepardson took Miss Smith's
place. In those days they fastened the school-house door with a
piece of bark, and drew close about the fire on cold mornings. It
is also related that at noontime the children might often be seen flying
out of the house pell-mell, behind them appearing John Chapman,
wildly flourishing a broom. The door would close with a loud bang,
and when the bolder ones crept softly up to the window, behold
John setting before the fire, poker in hand, enjoying himself alone.
Miss Shepardson was a fine teacher for such a turbulent school. In
the summer of 1866, Miss Mary E. Stearns, now Mrs. John R.
Waller, taught the higher department, Miss Cheney, as before
mentioned, having charge of the primary. These were the last
schools in the old houses, and brings us to the close of the second
period.
Again we turn to the record — Oct. 6, 1866: " On motion of Mr.
AUbee, it was voted to employ D. W. C. Duncan to teach and have
supervision of the graded school in Subdistrict No. 3, at $1,000
per year. On motion of Mr. Humphrey, $16 per week was allowed
to procure assistants, and it was provided that the principal should
be consulted in the choice of assistants." We call attention to this
because it is the first time the word prineipil is recorded, and in-
dicates a new dignity.
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CHABLES OITY. 691
Under Mr. Duncan's supervision five grades were establisbed,
taught by different teachers, wh^se names, had we spice, we would
gladly give. You will recall a few of them, viz: Miss Louisa
Robinson, Miss Ruth Woodin, Miss Grace Davidson, Miss Helen
Smith, Miss Laura Warn.
Mr. Duncan remained two years, when in the fall of 1868, S. F.
Wood was employed as principal, at a salary of $800 por annum.
He was followed by G. W. Bennett, no*v editor of the Mitchell
•County News.
Then came James H. Magoffin, in the spring of 1870. Many
pleasant and a few amusing incidents are told of his work here.
W^e must beg leave to give one. It happened one afternoon as a
young lady lifted the lid of her desk she discovered a litter of little
pink mice. Of course a suppressed scream and a chorus of giggles
ioUowed. Tiiis called for an investigation on the spot. '* Who did
that f Who put those mice in Miss A's. desk ? " and the gentle-
manly teacher looked sternly at the had boys, revolving in his
mind what appropriate punishment he should inflict. There was
dead silence in the room, when slowly arose a studious youth, who
had the reputation of being one of the good ones, and in the low,
measured tones of Irving Smith came the words, 'Professor, I did."
Mr. Bennett was taken wholly by surprise.
Mr. Magoffin's work closed here soon after the formation of the
independent district. With that organization began the last
period of our history, which must be passed over rapidly.
Charles City was set off as an independent school-district, taking
in something more than sub-districts two and three, in the spring
of 1871. The first Board of Directors for the district, organized at
the council rooms, March 20th ; members, J. S. Root, President,
F. Burnham, Henry Pettit, Dr. J. W. Smith, F. T. Swift, J. W.
Lehmkuhl. The school could now advance without hindrance.
A new stone house was erected on the west side of the river,
but was burned when nearly completed. About half-past two
o'clock in the morning of Dec. 13, 1871, the fire was first discovered,
and then it was under full headway. The loss fell upon the con-
tractors, principally Mr. Bridge, contractor for the wood-work, who
iiad an insurance of $1,400 upon it. Chris. Kuhnlee, contractor
for the mason work, had no insurance. The total loss was $2,573.96.
The origin of the fire is a mystery. The next year it was rebuilt,
and is now the best one in the district. It is two stories high,
built of beautiful dark gray limestone, with which the county
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692 HISTORY OF FLOTD COUNTY.
abonnde, painted with black cement, and the corners finished off
with light yellow stone. Itis surmonnted with a handsome bell towen
There are two school-rooms, each 24 x 85 feet, having forty desks,
iron frame, wood work of oiled cherry. The rooms have large-
blackboards, ventilators, etc. The wood work is handsomely
grained, the work of Taylor. The lower room is fourteen feet from
floor so ceiling, the npper fourteen and one-half feet. The hall»
are commodious, and the stairway wide and roomy. The building
is in every way superior to the one burned some time before, and
is a splended advertisement for the mechanics who have had charge
of building it, and an honor to the School Board that have gone
forward with this good work, though they may have had opposition
and grumbling to contend with. A. L. Collins was contractor for
the whole job ; George Oraig the stone work, and did it in his best
style ; W. W. Dennis put many neat touches on the wood work.
In the fall of 1871, Irwin Shepard, of Chelsea, Mich., wa&
employed as principal of the schools. He planned the High
School course to extend four years of ten months each, making a
• sum total of forty months ; the requirements for entering the-
High School were as high then as they have ever been since. In
1878 the school year was reduced from ten months to nine, thereby
reducing the course to thirty-six months. In 1879 two terms were-
taken from it, making it, as it now stands, thirty months long, or
but three-fourths of the old course of study.
Mr. Shepard remained four years, taking the class of 1875
through the work he had planned. He then went to Winona^
Minn ., as principal of the High School there, was promoted to the
superintendency of the city schools, and in 1879 became principal
of the First State Normal School of Minnesota, a position which
he now occupies.
Prof. Shepard was followed by S. F. Farnham, of Oldtown, Me.t
who remained in charge but one year, when he became cashier of
the Charles City Bank, and dwells in Charles City to-day. Then a
call was sent to Mr. J. C. Yocum, of Boscobel, Wis. He came in
the fall of the centennial year, and, happily for the citizens, has^
remained even to this day. Under Mr. Yocum's tuition a second class-
of three members graduated in 1878, a third class of six members
in 1879, a fourth class of seven members in 1880, and a fifth and
crowning cl ass of fifteen members in 1881.
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ouABLES cmr. 693
Three years ago bj the advice of Prof. Yocum, an association
was formed of the alatnni of the school. This society last year
numbered thirty-four members.
At the^commencement exercises of June 17, 1881, Hon. A. B.
F. Hildreth delivered the address before the graduating class,
which we would gladly put here in print had we space.
PRESENT STATUS OF THE CHARLES CnT SCHOOLS.
Buildmga. — These are six in number. The principal building
on the east side of the Cedar Biver is of stone, two stories in height
with a basement. It contains five commodious school -rooms, one rec-
itation room and the superintendent's office, all of which are heated
by furnaces placed in the basement. It accommodates the high
school, two grammar schools, and two primaries. It is provided
with physical and chemical apparatus, an herbarium, a cabinet of
iuinerals, a small zoological collection, and a good outfit of maps,
globes, and other appliances for succcessful teaching. It is sur-
rounded by a play-ground containing eight city lots. On the same
.grounds is a two-story frame house containing two rooms, each
accommodating sixty primary pupils.
There is a commodious frame house in the Third Ward which will
«eat fifty pupils. In the eastern part of the independent district,
And belonging to the city system, there is a new school-house, the
seating capacity of which is about thirty.
On the west side of the river are two school-houses. The prin-
<npal one is of stone two stories high with two rooms, seated for
about sixty pupils each. It is well furnished and commodious and
is warmed by a furnace placed in the cellar. Its grounds com-
prise an entire block, handsomely fenced and containing an abun-
dance of fine shade trees. In one comer of these grounds is
located a one-story frame, seating sixty primary pupils.
All of the buildings are well supplied with black-boards, maps,
globes, charts, etc.
Course of Study ^ Enrollmenty etc. — ^The course of study covers
a period of twelve years, including the high school, and differs in
no material respect from the courses found in all well organized
city schools.
For several years the annual enrollment of pupils has averaged
about 800, with an average daily attendance of nearly 600, and a
record of 9(>.7 per cent, in punctuality. During the year just
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694 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
closed (Jane 25, 1882), the entire enrollment has been 809 with an-
attendance of seventy-two pupils in the high school department.
The enumeration of the Charles City Independent Scjiool Dis-
trict in the summer of 1882, gave 485 males and 462 females;
total, 947.
That the schools are prosperous and are appreciated by the citi-
zens, is shown by the fact that, during the year, 1,538 adults have
visited the various departments to witness the daily school exer-
cises. The city has been unusually fortunate in electing for its
school officers men who take a lively interest in educational affairs,
who are wisely economical, and judiciously liberal in the expendi-
ture of the publi(j money, and who promote the efficiency of the
schools by discouraging frequent changes of teachers.
Present Board of Directors: Hon. A. B.F. Hildreth, President;
W. D. Balch, B. W. Stevens, Dr. L. P. Fitch, P. W. Burr and
A. R. Spriggs. J. R. Adron is Secretary, and F. A. Roziene
Treasurer.
BAKKS.
First National Bank. — The stockholders met at Taylor's Hall
Jan. 30, 1871, for the purpose of organization. A. B. F. Hildreth
was called to the Chair, and Alex. R. Spriggs was elected Secre-
tary. Articles of association were adopted and signed, and the
number of directors determined to be seven. The following were
then elected Directors: A. G. Case, John P. Taylor, Milo Gil-
bert, H. C. Raymond, A. B. F. Hildreth, John Kuck and C. C.
Siver. These men elected A. G. Case, Pres.; J. P. Taylor, Vice-
Pres.; and C. C. Siver, Cashier. The bank opened for business,
April 18 following, under favorable auspices. Capital, $50, 000.
Present officers: A. G. Case, President; H. C. Raymond, Vice-
President; H. C. Baldwin, Cashier. The other Directors — H. F.
Lambert, C. P. Ellis, V. G. Barney, R. M. Waller and A. B. F
Hildreth.
Charles City National Bank was organized as a private bank
in November, 1876, by J. P. Tayloi-, S. F. Famham, H. C. John-
son, E. Austin, and J. P. Austin, by the election of Mr. Taylor,
President; Mr. Austin, Vice-President, and Mr. Famham, Cashier.
Capital, $50,000. In 1882 this institution was organized as a Na-
tional Bank, with the same officers, and Frank V. Taylor as Assist-
ant Cashier. Directors — J. V. Taylor, E. Austin, S. F. Famham,
F. V. Taylor and J. P. Austin. This bank was first opened near
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CHARLES CITY. 695
the northeast comer of the park, in the building now occupied by
the express and telegraph companies; and in 1878 it was moved
to its present locality, near the Intelligencer office. James G.
Fisher, of Windsor, N. Y., is a prominent stockholder in this
bank.
Bank of lieiniger <& Batch. — ^Tiiis bank was established Oct
1, 1865, with a capital of $10,000, by Mitchell, Fairfield, & Co.,
the firm comprising George Mitchell, now of Milwaukee, Hon.
Wm. B. Fairfield, now deceased, and Wm. D. Balch. On the
first ol October, 1866, Mr. Mitchell sold out to E. 0. Ohapin, and
the business was continued under the name of E. C. Ohapin & Co.,
until 1873, when Mr. Ohapin sold his interest to the other part-
ners, and the firm name was changed to Fairfield & Balch, with
$25,000 capital stock, and Skinner & Fairfield, of Hudson, N, Y.,
as special partners. In 1876 Judge R. G. Reiniger purchased the
interest of Judge Fairfield, since which time the bank has been
conducted by Reiniger & Balch. This institution is well and
favorably known, as the most reliable men have always had it in
charge. B. A. Wood is Cashier. In October, 1881, Messrs.
Reiniger & Balch bought out Montague & Smith at Mason City,
changing their bank to the "First National Bank of Mason City,"
of which Mr. Balch is Vice-President.
The Floyd County SavmgsBank was organized Aug. 21, 1873^
with the following stockholders: A. B. F. Hildreth, A. G. Case,
J. W. Lehmkuhl, W. G. Tripp, S. B. Starr, J. G. Patterson, S.
M. Cook, C. Merckel, John Kuck, H. 0. Raymond, C. P. Ellis,
and F. A. Roziene. These gentlemen elected A. B. F. Hildreth,
for President, F. A. Roziene, Vice-President, and H. 0. Bald-
win, Secretary and Treasurer. Capital stock subscribed, $50,000.
The General Assembly of 1873-'74: passed a new banking law^
identical with the national banking law in its provisions, except-
ing, of coarse, that it did not allow the issue of currency. It
requires all the capital stock to be paid up. Accordingly, on the
31st of August following, this bank was reorganized, with the
following stockholders: A. B. F. Hildreth, H. 0. Baldwin, 0. P.
Ellis, C. D. Ellis, A. E. Ellis, H. 0. Raymond, D. Townsend, A.
G. Ca?e, W. H. Dyke, M. G. Egloff, W. H. Hausberg, J. Kuck,
J. W. Lehmkuhl, J. G. Patterson, R. G. Reiniger, 8. B. Starr,
B. W. Stevens, J. H. StoUe, and F. A. Roziene. Capital, $25,000,
paid up. The directors formerly elected served until the second
Tuesday of January, 1875, when the following were chosen: A. Bv
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696 HISTOEY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
F. Hadreth, J. W. Lehmkuhl, J. G. Patterson, H. 0. Baldwin, F.
A. Roziene, C. D. Ellis. This board chose the following as offi-
cers: A. B. F. Hildreth, President; J. G. Patterson, Vice-Presi-
dent; F. A. Roziene, Secretary and Treasurer.
The present Trustees are: A. B. F. Hildreth, S. B. Starr, S. M.
Cook, B. W. Stevens, H. 0. Baldwin, John Kuck, F. A. Roziene;
and the officers are, A. B. F. Hildreth, President; S. B. Starr,
Vice-President; F. A. Roziene, Secretary and Treasurer.
The bank is located on the east side of Main street, opposite the
middle of the park, and is a great convenience to those of limited
means who desire their savings taken care of and made produc-
tive. Women and children find it a good place to deposit their
surplus moneys, jewelry, etc.
HOTELS.
Next after John Blunt's log "hotel," the Magnolia House was
opened, in 1857, by Smith & Goddard, and then Kelly's Hotel.
Both these were burned in the great fire of 1862. Soon after this,
Mr. Kelly commenced rebuilding his house, but was interrupted
by a trip to California. The size of this building was to be
60 X 80 feet and four stories high, and the material to be brick
or stone. This structure, however, never got higher than the
foundation walls. In the meantime, other hotels were established.
At the present time, the principal hotels in Charles City are the
Union House, kept by Charles Shaw; and it is a first-class hotel in
every respect. The Leonard House is near the depot. The Park
House is eligibly located, near the west corner of the park.
When Mr. Shaw purchased the hotel, he remodeled and refur-
nished the entire building, and it is now the finest hotel in North-
western Iowa. It has forty elegant sleeping-rooms, one beautiful
parlor, and one of the most pleasant and commodious dining-
rooms in the State. The kitchen is a model of neatness, and Mr.
Shaw employs the best cooks and waiters.
The building is of limestone and brick; is two stories high above
a basement. It contains two large and convenient sample rooms
for the accommodation of traveling and commercial men. There
are also two finely-furnished billiard-parlors connected with the
hotel, and a commodious office, baggage-room, closets and writing-
rooms.
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OHASLBS OTTT.
Mr. ShaW) the proprietor of this hotel is a thorough gentleman,
and pays particular attention to the wants and comforts of his
guests, and takes pride in making his hotel the best in Northern
Iowa.
BBLIGIOnS.
The First Ba/ptist Church and Society is one of the oldest church
organizations in Charles City. Articles of incorporation of the
church and society were adopted Feb. 8, 1858, which provided for
the management of the affairs of the church, for the admission
of members, etc., in the usual manner. The first officers of
the church were elected at this same meeting, Feb. 8, 1858, and
were as follows: Trustees, Sanford Harwood, Milo Gilbert and
V. W. Baker; Secretary, Gr. H. Whitehead; Treasurer, Harvey
Kellogg. The present officers are: Trustees, C. Danforth, J. M.
Dutton, Abram Smith; Secretary, O. Pomeroy; Treasurer, G. H.
Whitehead. The society built a church when they first organized,
completing it in January, 1858. In 1871 this was moved back,
an addition built in front, and the whole entirely refitted.
Sept. 21, 1860, the Cedar Valley Baptist Association held their
5th anniversary with the Baptist church at St. Charles City, contin-
uing three days. The attendance was large, there being present
150 persons from abroad, of whom sixteen were clergymen. The
season was one of unusual interest and the meeting was one of ex-
traordinary success, in all respects. With the growth of the city
:and the church, other important meetings have been held here.
First Methodist Episcopal Church, — ^The first meeting of the
church was held in an unfinished log barn; Mr. and Mrs.
Howard were living in the house at the time. John Ball
was a Methodist minister, and was passing through Charles
Oity on his road to Elkader for provisions. He was requested
to preach there; but as there were nothing but log houses in
the town, they did not know where to hold the meeting. Mr. and
Mrs. Howard finally consented to hold the meeting in their own
house; and so the meeting was to be held in a fortnight from
that time. There were only three members at that time, but all the
people in the neighborhood came to the meeting, and were delighted.
It was a splendid thing for the country, as the people were
running wild, as is usually the case with the early settlement of a
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700 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
new couDtry. There was but one chair in the hoase, and the mei>
sawed blocks and placed puncheons on them, and by covering^
them with shawls, made them as comfortable as possible. It was-
very cold weather, and there was no stove or even a fire-place.
They were wondering what they would do for fire when all at once
they saw Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow coming, carrying a large kettle on
a pole between them which proved to be full of flaming charcoal;
This was placed in the room and it furnished warmth enough
to make the room comfortable. They had a successful meeting and
about a year afterward a church was organized.
The first stationed preacher was Wm. P. Hoibrook, appointed
by the Iowa Conference in the fall of 1854. The first class was or
ganized in October, 1855 ; class leader, Newman Dutcher; Mary L.
Dutcher, J. M. Howard, Harriett M. Howard and Rachel Kellogg
were the members. The first quarterly conference met in Oct.
1856. The second paster was Rev. I. D. Rust; R. L. Ricker fol-
lowed, Revs. J. D. Witted, T. W. Thurston, G. Larkin, W. F. Pax-
ton, Wm. Smith, S. M. Bronson, were the next to follow. They
served one year each with one exception, the minutes do not show
who served two years. Until 1866 the church here was connected
with the church at Floyd; at that time it ^as organized into a sep-
arate charge. Rev. H. S. Church was the pastor, serving
one year.
In the summer of 1867 the work of erecting the present cliurcli
building was begun. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 9, 1867, Rev.
John W. Clinton officiating, assisted by the pastor. The church
basement was completed and dedicated Jan. 24, 1869. The bal-
ance of the church was not completed until the following summer.
W. P. Watkins, was pastor in charge from September, 1867, until
September, 1869. Under his pastorate the church membership in-
creased from seventy to one hundred and seventy-four, and the
church edifice was erected. The cost of this structure, with furni-
ture, lots, etc., was $14,565. It was dedicated Nov. 28, 1869, by
E. O. Haven, D. D. Some time after leaving here Mr. Watkins,.
in a fit of insanity, drowned himself. Rev. J. B. Casebear was
appointed pastor in 1868, and served two years. Rev. L. H. Oar-
hart followed two years, and during his pastorate one of the most
remarkable revivals in the history of the church occurred. Over
100 persons were converted and united with the church. Rev. A.
C. Manwell, from Wisconsin, served two years. Rev. R. N. Ear-
hart followed the next two years. September, 1877, Rev. J. S.
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0HABLE8 crry. 701
Anderson was appointed, and in the middle of bis second year he
withdrew from the ministry and from the church, and his year was
completed by Rev. John Bowmau, who was at one time an inde-
pendent candidate for Congress. He is a man of great controver-
sial powers and energy; be ran against Henry O. Pratt, who was
elected and served two terms, after which he was converted and has
since become a popular preacher and is now located at Toledo,
Iowa. F. X. Miller, in 1879, was appointed pastor and remained
two years; in the fall of 1881 George Elliott was appointed minister
in charge, and is at the present time pastor, and is a graduate of
Cornell College, Iowa. The present officers are: Trustees — ^Edward
Elinetop, H. C. Ireland, J. A. Pitcher, M. Martin, Geo. Cairns,
C. C. Crowell, H. F. Miles, John Gordon and John Spalding.
Stewards — Geo. Cairns, S. P. Yeomans, M. D., M. H. Howard,
John Gordon, J. A. Becker, H. F. Miles, John Spalding, H. C.
Ireland, Wm. and F. Morse; Recording Steward, M. H. Howard;
Supt. S. S., E. D. Ruggles; Treas., W. E. Holbrook; Class-Leader,
J. P. North; Chorister, Prof. J. C. Yocum; Organist, Miss Emma
Ruggles. The church is in a very healthy condition ; the present
membership of the church is 209; the Sabbath-school membership
is about 200, with an average attendance of about 150.
Oerman Society of M. E. CJmrch. — The commencement of
this church was in 1864. John Kuck and wife were the first
to move in this matter, meetings being held at their house, till
1865, when the first pastor came and located among the people and
the society was organized. The first officers were: Trustees,
John Kuck, Alvin Berg, H. Stover, Fred Schlick, and Geo. Mnller;
Treasurer and Clerk, John Kuck; Class-Leader and Steward, John
Kuck; Pastor, Rev. J. G. Achenbach, who served two years.
The church edifice was built in 1868 and dedicated July 4, of that
year. Size 26x40 feet, cost $3,300. Rev. H. R. Fiegenbaum
was the next pastor, and served three years; the church was built
during his pastorate. Chas. Kruckholm came in 1870 and served
two years as pastor. F. Fischer followed the next two years. Rev.
E. J. French served one year; E. Uhel followed as pastor, three
years. H. Kaste, served the next three years. Rev. A. Brenner is
the present pastor. There were more or less revivals each year,
the most successfnlones occurring under Revs. H. R. Fiegenbaum
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702 HISTORY OF FLOYD COITNTY,
and Uhel. The present raemberohip is about 200. There is a
Sabbath-school in connection with the church; Fred Pfeiffer is
the present Superintendent. There are about eighty scholars, who
attend regularly.
When first organized this was called the Charles City Mission
and included the territory of four counties, Floyd, Mitchell, Chick-
asaw and Bremer, over which the first pastor traveled. The
church is now in a prosperous and healthy condition, its member,
ship being in Charles City and near by.
This society finding its growtii so great have for the accommodation
of its communicants, erected a second church some six miles from
the village, where a goodly congregation worship; Rev. Bremer is
the pastor, and services are held Sabbath afternoons by him
and local preachers. This church was built in 1881, size 26x40
feet, costing $1,500. There is also a Sabbath-school in connec-
tion with this church, numbering about thirty children ; the Superin-
tendent is A. Hirsch.
This church was the first mission organized in what u now
called the Charles City District, comprising some twenty-fire
counties.
The First Gongregationalist Society, — ^This was organized at
a meeting held Oct. 29, 1868, at the house of Rev. J. EL
Windsor. Those present at this first meeting were Rev. J. H.
Windsor, Samuel Hackley and wife, Josiah Knight and wife, Ira
Brackett and wife. Articles of faith were adopted, and subscribed
to by the above parties.
Rev. Mr. Windsor was their first pastor, and he was followed
July 1, 1862, by Rev. William A. Adams. During his pastorate
the society was incorporated (Sept. 15, 1862) with the following
members: Samuel Hackley, George C. Dean, William A. Adams,
William B. Fairfield, A. B. F. Hildreth, G. G. Rieniger, Miio
Gilbert, A. W. French and W. B. Co veil. At this meeting a con-
stitntion and compact were adopted.
In April, 1863, A. B. F. Hildreth and William B. Fairfield were
selected as a committee to procure a site for a church edifice. The
society h%d previously met in Masonic Hall, over the present ex-
press office. Oct. 30, 1364, Rev. D. N. Bordwell, of the Gongre-
gationalist church, at Lansing, la., was invited to fill the pulpit^
and he at once accepted the call. He remainod five years and was
very much beloved by his congregation. He worked faithfully
for the welfare of tlie church, and the membership was greatly
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CHARLES CITY. 703
increased. Daring his pastorate the present church was built. It
was completed in the fall of 1867, and will seat about 350 persons.
The building committee were William B. Fairfield, E. 0. Ohapin,
0. W. Fletcher and John A. Mitchell The church was dedicated
Jan. &8, by Kev. Lyman Whiting, of Dubuque. The music on
the occasion was conducted by Col. L. L. Huntley, of the same
place, formerly of Charles City.
The membership of the church had reached about 100 when Mr.
Bordwell resigned in 1869, and Aug. 6, this year. Rev. H. B.
Woodworth, of Ellington, Conn., was called to the pulpit, at a
salary of $1,200. He accepted the invitation and remained till
Sept. 6, 1872. He was a man of marked ability, and was very
popalar with his congregation. He resigned to go to Decorah,
la., and was succeeded Nov. 2-lr, 1872, by Rsv. J. A. Cruzan.
Mr. Cruzan was a successful minister, and especially popular with
the young people. He left after preaching one year, going to
Ohio, from there he went to Portland, Oregon, and he is now in
the Sandwich Islands, receiving a salary of $3,000 a year. There
was then an interim of several months when the society held no
regular services. Rev. I. Wadhams, of Belle Plaine, la., was
the next pastor, being called O^t. 23, 1874. Mr. WaJharas
was a very earnest worker, and stood high with the congregation.
He remained about three years and a half, and was followed by
Rev. N. M. Clute, at a salary of $1,500. Mr. Clute was very well
liked and was one of the strongest workers that have filled the
pulpit of the Congregationalist church.
The present pastor. Rev. A. G. Brande, came in January, 1882.
The society is fairly prosperous. The male members of the church
number 75, the females, 115; total, 190. . The Sunday-school con-
nected with the church has a membership of 200, and is very proa
perous. J. S. Trigg is the present Superintendent.
Chrace Mission^ Protestant Episcopal, — In 1872 Bishop Lee
organized Grace Mission, at Charles City, la., and appointed
T. A. Hand, Warden ; Abner Root, Treasurer ; B. F. Cheney,
Secretary. The Rev. Wm. Wright, Rector of St. Mark's Church,
Nashua, held services on alternate Sundays until December, 1876,
when the Rev. Hale Townsend held services on alternate Sundays,
he being a missionary of the Northern Convocation of the Diocese
of Iowa, Rector of St. John's parish, Mason City. In 1877 there
were twenty families connected with this branch of the Episcopal
church, and the mission procured grounds for a church edifice,
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704 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
but have not built a church. In 1876 the Rev. S. C. Gaynor took
charge of the mission, dividing his time between the churches of
Charles City and Mason City, but he removed to Silver CliflF, OoL,
in April, 1880, since which time the mission has had only occasional
services and no settled clergyman.
St. John^s Lutheran Churchy was organized February, 1872.
The oflScers were: Henry Nieman, W. Harring, 0. Boeck, J. H.
Stolle, Trustees ; 0. Wilke, Pastor ; he remained in charge about
three years. In June 1872, the church edifice was commenced and
on Dec. 21, 1873, it was dedicated. It is 28 x 50 feet, and cost
$2,500. There is a membership now of about eighty souls. Also
Sabbath-school each Sunday, before service ; there are about forty
scholars ; the Superintendent is Rev. E. Oasselman. The present
officers are: F. Karl, F. Turow, E. Schwart and F. Schuhknecht,
Trustees ; F. Karl, Treasurer ; F. Turow, Secretary.
Edward Berg was the first secretary of this society, and held his
office until he resigned two years ago ; he has been a zealous and
efficient officer.
In February last the society celebrated its tenth anniversary by
a jubilee, on which occasion Mr. Berg read the history of the
church, showing the many trials it had passed through, and how to
the grace of God it had survived them all.
The next pastor was P. Vogel, who came in October, 1875, and
served until April, 1876, when on account of ill health he retired; he
was followed by F. Mutschmann, who remained till April, 1879, when
he was removed by the synod. On application of the members of
the congregation, he was followed by the present pastor, E. Oassel-
man, who was installed in June, 1879. The condition of the
church is very prosperous..
Christian Church, — This body was organized Jan. 25, 1862,
with a membership of seventeen, under Elders John Kain and
N. A. McConnell, since which time the pastors have been, N. E.
Corey, J. Hurd, G. W. Sweeny, L. S. Brown, D. H. Gary, J. K.
Connell, F. Walden, and others. The church edifice is a neat stone
structure, and was built in 1866. Average membership, about
ninety to 100.
Chv/rch of the Immaculate Conception^ Catholic. — The first ser-
vices in the county, according to the ritual of the Oatholic church,
took place at the residence of Henry Ingram, in Floyd Township,
in 1854. The family of Philip Sharkey was at that time the only
other one joining in this worship. The next year that of James
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CHABLB8 CITY. 705
Welch was added. Father Slattery was the priest. Services were
held from time to time until about the beginning of the war, when
a resident priest, Father Martin, located in Charles City, and ad-
ministered to an increasing flock, first in Taylor's Hall, then in
the court-house and in private houses. He was an Englishman by
birth, and a very talented man. Rev. McManus, in 1866, was the
next priest, then Urbani, a native of France, who was here about
fourteen months, 1868-'9, and then, in 1870, Rev. Feely, a native
of Ireland, settled here, remaining until 1878, when he was suc-
ceeded by Father F. J. Gunn, the present pastor. Mr. Feely, soon
after his arrival, commenced the erection of a church building,
120x45 feet, at about three squares southeast of the public square.
When the foundation walls were completed, the work ceased for
want of funds. A question being raised by a member of the church,
as to what had become of the proceeds of certain entertainments,
in the autumn of 1877, a committee was appointed, consisting ol
•one Catholic and one non-Catholic, who investigated the accounts,
and found that Father Feely had expended legitimately, not only
all moneys coming into his hands, but had also advanced several
hundred dollars from his own purse.
The rear portion of the foundation was roofed over and finished
off the first year, so that religious services can be held there tem-
porarily; but the prospect is bright now for an early completion
of the structure. The plan contemplates a brick building, with one
tower, 150 feet high, one seventy-seven feet and one fifty-seven
feet, the whole building to cost about $16,000. At present, about
ninety families or more worship here, and a Sunday-school is well
attended, where Father Gunn administers instruction. The relig-
ious services here are held about three Sundays each month, high
mass at eleven a. m. The congregation is named the ^^ Church of
the Immaculate Conception, of Charles City."
November, 1871, a Catholic fair was held in Charles City, which
netted $608. Great interest was manifested in the votes for ^' the
most deserving gentleman,'' and also " the most deserving lady."
The prizes were a gold-headed cane for one and a silver tea set
for the other. As the time drew near at which the polls should be
closed, there was considerable excitement, and $5 and $10 worth of
votes would be put in at a time. J. S. Root received the cane,
having a majority of ninety-eight over P. O'Hair. The cane
brought $124. Miss Mary O'Hair received the tea set, having a
majority of 116 over Mrs. Frank Lenz. The tea set brought $149
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706 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Father Francis Joseph Gunn, Priest of the above described
church, is a native of Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland,
bom Dec. 26, 1851, a son of Thomas and Katharine Gnnn, nee
Murray. He attended school in his native town until sixteen
years of age, when he took a three years' classical course at a pri-
vate school. He then entered All Hallow's College in the city of
Dublin, graduating from that institution, and was ordained into
the holy priesthood, June 24, 1877. On Sept 29, of that year
he landed in New York City, and after spending one month in
travel he came to Iowa, locating in Burlington. He traveled
through the States of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois until he was
appointed priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, at
Nashua, Chickasaw County, la. He also had charge of the church
at Wapsie, Howard County. Since coming here Father Gunn
has labored earnestly and fait]|Lfully in the church and has
succeeded in doing much good, both spiritually and financially.
He is a man of superior mental endowments, and fine oratorical
powers. Through his untiring zeal arrangements have been
made for the erection of a new church, and the work is being
rapidly pushed forward.
Evangelical Association. — A church or religious organization
by the above name exists in Charles City, meeting in a small
building on the west side.
Hoyd County Bible Society. — A society bearing the above
name was organized in Charles City in 1858 or 1859, Samuel
Huckley, or Dr. J. M. Parsons was the first President: J. W.
Smith was Secretary, and C. W. Atkinson, Treasurer. The same
officers were continued for several successive years.
SOOIBTISS.
Almond Ghapt&r^ No. 63, R. A. M. — This chapter was organ-
ized Dec. 11,1869, with the following officers : H. B., E. A. Has-
kell ; K., Abner Root; S., J. F. O. Smith; Secretary, E. Winne;
Treasurer, H. Ely ; C. H., W. G. Tripp ; P. S., A. Campbell ;
R. A. C, A. N. George ; G. M. 1st V,, S. A. Allen ; G. M. 2d
v., Hanson Ely ; G. M. 3d V., A. B. Kodgers ; S., E. S. Blake.
Mr. Haskell held the office of H. P. until Nov. 4, 1870, when W.
G. Tripp was elected to the position which he has held ever since.
H. N. Grain succeeded Mr. Winne as Secretary, Feb. 28, 1870 ;
J. F. Parkhurst followed Sept. 18, 1871 ; M. G. Egloff, Jan. 15,
1872, and E. B. Dyke, Sept. 3, 1877, who still holds the office.
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CHARLES OTTT. 707
The following are the present officers; H. P., W. G. Tripp ; K.,
J. P. Taylor ; S., H. 0. Baldwin ; Secretary, E. B. Dyke ; Treas-
urer, E. Werder ; C. H., G. B. May ; B. A. 0., V. Baltuff ;
P. S., A. N. George ; G. M. 1st V., Jos. Hecht ; G. M. 2d V.,
John Ferguson ; G. M. 3d V., J. N. Waller ; Tyler, Thos.
Simmons. The regular convocations occur on the second Monday
evening of each month. The council degrees were conferred on
the chapter Nov. 18, 1878.
St Charles Lodge^ No. 141, A, F. dk A. M. was organized
Oct. 1, 1858, at Masonic Hall, on the site of the present express
office, with a charter membership of fifteen. Their names were,
Abner Boot, E. B. C. Wright, S. W. Stanley, John Blunt, Thomas
Simmons, H. 0. Stinson, Eobert G. Beiniger, G. G. Beiniger,
Edwin Klinetop, H. 0. Smith, D. W. Poindexter, A. L. Collins^
C. H. Haskell, Seth Hungerford and I. M. Montgomery. Abner
Boot was appointed W. M., to open the lodge. The charter was
issued June 8, 1869. The first officers elected under this chartei
were: S. W. Stanley, W. M; E. B. 0. Wright, S. W; D. W. Poin
dexter, J. W ; E. P. Harrington, Treasurer ; A. L. Collins, Secre-
tary ; B. G. Beiniger, S. D ; D. Gilbert, J. D ; Thomas Simmons,
Tyler. The present nlerabership is seventy-six. The present officers
are : George B. May, W. M; W. M. Dennis, S. W ; J. L. Burnett,
J. W ; W. G. Tripp, Treasurer ; W. W. Dennis, Secretary ;
Charles Schroeder, S. D ; A. H. Treat, J. D ; T. Simmons,
Tyler. The lodge is in good condition financially. It meets at
Masonic Hall on the Thursday on or before the full moon.
ExceUior Chofpter^ No. 51, Order of the Eastern Star. — This
society has for its object the promotion of social intercourse, mutual
assistance, and the exercise of charity and benevolence. It is in
many respects similar to the Masonic fraternity, and is in fact
closely connected with that society. Its membership is confined to
the wives, mothers and sisters of Masons. There are about fifteen
chapters in Iowa, of which four are in Floyd County. They are
located at Marble Bock, Bocktbrd, Nora Springs and Charles City.
The fourth annual convention of the Grand Chapter of Iowa was
held at Charles City with this chapter May 10 and 11, 1881, which
of course was an honor to the entertaining chapter. The conven-
tion was held in due form, and there were twenty-five official, as
well as several visiting delegates present.
Excelsior Chapter was organized June 18, 1878, at Masonic
Hall. The meeting was called by Mrs. Jennie Mathews, of Bock-
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708 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ford, who acted as preaidiog officer, and orgaaized the chapter.
The officers first chosen were as folio ws: Mrs. O. N.Williams, W.
M.; Eugene B. Dyke, W. P.; Mrs. N. M. Miner, A.M.; Mrs. M.
E. Beiniger, Treasurer; Mrs. M. T. Dennis, Secretary; Mrs. N.
Lender, Conductress; Mrs. M. J. May, A. C; Mrs. Julia
A. Raymond, Warder; Mrs. P. F. Farnham, Adah; Mrs.
Bina Wood, Ruth; Mrs. Fannie Smith, Esther; Mrs. J. A.
Campbell, Martha; Miss Sue Harwood, Electa; Mrs. E. B.
Dyke, Organist There were in all about sixty charter mem-
bers. Mrs. Williams was the Matron of the Chapter continu-
ously until January, 1882, when Mrs. Eugene B. Dyke was elected
to the office. The other officers at present are as follows: Eli
firowuell, W. P.; Mrs. Eunice Mitchell, A. M.; Mrs. E T. Bort,
Treasurer; Mrs. E. R. Spaulding, Secretary; Mri. M. J. May, Con-
ductress; Mrs. Josie Waller, A. C. ; Mrs. M. Tripp, Adah; Mrs.
Binah Wood, Ruth; Mrs. Emily Ducharm, Esther; Mrs. E. P.
Orane, Martha; Mrs. Augusta Darby, Electa; E. B. Bort, Warder.
There are now about sixty members. The chapter is financially
even, and is prosperous in every way. It meets at Masonic Hall
the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Charles City Lodge, No. 158, A. 0. U. TF., was organized
April 6, 1878, with thirty members. First officers were: P. M.
W., J. E. Rich; M. W., P. W. Burr; Recorder, J. S. Bradley.
Foreman, M. Martin; Overseer, C. E. Ferguson; .Financier,
Jacob Baier; Receiver, C. M. Ferguson. Present officers: P. M.
W., Ira K. Lee; M. W., P. W. Burr; Recorder, J, S. Bradley;
Foreman, Wm. Gierman; Overseer, W. N. Fisher; Receiver, S. F.
Farnham; Financier, L. M. Loper. Meets Friday nights of each
week in the council-room. Present membership twenty-six.
CharlsB City Lodge, No. 4, I. O. G. T. — This society was
organized April 28, 1859, by Deputy G. W. C. T. Detwiler,
now G. W. C. T. of Kansas. The first principal ofticers were,
I. W. Card (now of Mason City), W. C. T.; T. A. Hatid, Secretary;
Miss Mary Cheney, W. V. T. The society organized with a large
membership, which soon reached the incredible number of over
300. During the war however, the interest died out an<l about
1864 the lodge disbanded. The meetings were held in Cheney
& Brackett's Hall, now a part of the Union House. After the
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CHARLES cmr. 709
hall was enlarged it was called dnion Honse Hall, or Gilbert's
Hall. Some time afterward the lodge was revived, and after
running for a time, disbanded again, about 1867 or 1868. Soon
after this it organized a third time, by E. A. Teeling, and met
for a long time in Odd Fellows' Hall. The oflScers were Mrs.
Mary Hackley, James Jackson,, Silas Card, Miss Jennie C. Jack-
son, E. P. Harrington, Samuel Hackley, T. A. Hand, Miss Emma
Meacham, G. H. Whitehead, Mrs. L. A. Hildreth, A. B. F.
Hildreth, Mrs. A. B. Smith. Mr. Teeling was called away on busi-
ness for some time, and the society went down again. In Feb-
ruary, 1880, it came to life once more, and now has a membership
of seventy-six in good standing, meeting every Friday evening in
Temperance Hall, which is in a one-story building on the east side
of the park. The present oflBcers are, E. A. Teeling, W. C. T. ;
Miss Goodlander, W". V. T.; 0. 0. Crosby, Secretary; Miriam
Davidson, Treasurer; James Ferguson, Financial Secretary; H.
Fisher, Chaplain; Harry Baltuif, Marshal.
The Grand Lodge of the I. O. G. T. of the State of Iowa is to
meet in Charles City next year, 1883.
The Floyd County Woman^s Christian Temperance Union,
was organized April 2, 1880, at Charles City, Miss F. X. Miller,
President, Mrs. E. C. Spauld ng. Secretary, Mrs. E. A. Teeling,
Treasurer. Tliere was a vice-president in each township whose
-duty it was to urge the iormation of auxiliary unions in places
^here there were none. There are now seven unions in the
•county, all doing much work for the temperance cause. The
present offiicers of this organization are Mrs. J. C. Lockwood,
President, Pleasant Grove; Mrs. Rebecca J. Wilson» Secretary,
Oharles City; Mrs. F. Stevens, Treasurer, Riverton.
Wo?nan*8 Christain Temperance Union of Charles City, —
This society was first organized in September, 1875. Its first offi-
■cers were: President, Mrs. William Hunter; Secretary, Mrs. B. F.
Wright; Treasurer, Mrs. J. P. North. The object of this associ-
iition is the suppression of the vice of intemperance with God's
blessing. This union has helped to organize a large number of
other sister unions throughout the county; and they have zealously
labored for seven years for the elevation of man from the influence
of intemperance. They now see some fruit of their labors — there
not being now a saloon in the city. Present officers: President,
Mrs. E. Aspinwall; Secretary, Ellen L. Slocum; Treasurer,
Mrs.L. Hartsham.
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710 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Orand Amiy of the Republic. — A post of this order was organ-
ized in the fall of 1866, by E. A. Keiniger, Hon. E. G. Reiniger,
T. H. Saxton, H. A. Humphrey, C. A. Slocum and C. W. Fletcher.
Judge Eeiniger was chosen Commander; Mr. Humphrey, OflScer of
the Day, and E. A. Reiniger, Lieutenant of the Guards. Regular
meetings were held for a year or two, and occasional meetings for
several years more.
Charles City Guards^ Company Fy Sixth Regiment^ I, N. ff.
— This company was organized in September, 1877, as Company L,
Sixth Regiment, with fifty members. The officers were: Captain^
Jacob Baier; First Lieutenant, H. C. Baldwin; Second Lieutenant^
H. F. Miles ; Sergeants, E. B. Dyke, G. R. May, M. Wilbur, L. F.
Smith ; Corporals, Charles Kicherer, Wm. Gauge, A. H. Treat,
E. J. Gilbert. The officers of the business organization were:
President, P. W. Burr; Vice-President, S. F. Farnham; Secretary^
W. L. Palmer ; Treasurer, A. R. Spriggs. During the coming
winter, the militia law was changed, and Company L disbanded.
April 8, 1878, Company F was organized with sixty-three mem-
bers, and the following officers were elected : Captain, E. B»
Dyke ; First Lieutenant, J. L. Black ; Second Lieutenant, C. M*
Ferguson ; First Sergeant, C. L. Dyke ; Duty Sergeants, C. B.
Hamlin, Alexander R. Spriggs, E. A. Teeling, Oliver Toncha ;
Corporals, Ed. Winne, Jr., Warren Drummond, A. D. Kellogg, E»
Brubaker, E. E. Peterson, Geo. Collins, Arthur Stohl, Geo.
McGregor, In the succeeding March (1879), Captain E. B. Dyke
was elected Major of the Sixth Regiment, and First Sergeant C.
L. Dyke succeeded him as Captain. In September of this year the
company took part in the first regimental encampment at Osager
and became noted as ^^ foragers, '' especially in milking the prize
cows on the fair grounds. At the prize drill Company F was
awarded first money as the " best drilled and best disciplined com-
pany in the regiment, " an honor which was well earned. The
next year the regiment camped at Charles City. Lieut. C. M.
Ferguson meantime had been commissioned as Regimental Quar
termaster, and W. L. Palmer appointed Sergeant Major; Oliver
Toncha, Color Sergeant; C. H. Hoard, Drum Major, and I. S»
Large, Fife Major, quite an honorable list for one company.
In January, 1881, Captain Dyke having resigned, H. C. Bald-
win was elected his successor ; P. M. Wilbur and Chas. Snyder
being Lieutenants. In August, 1881, a change again occurred,
the commissioned officers resigning and C. L. Dyke again becom-
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CHABLE8 CITY^ 711
ing Captain, Arthur Stohl andJ. D. Fowler being hie LieutenantB,
The regiment this year camped at Des Moines, with the balance of
the Second Brigade. In May, 1881, Lieut. Fowler resigned and
E. £. Smith was elected to succeed him. The Second Brigade
camped in June at Waterloo, and Company F acquitted itself with
credit. The present officers of the company are : Captain, C. L.
Dyke ; First Lieutenant, W. A. Stohl ; Second Lieutenant, E. E.
Smith ; First Sergeant, A. G. Aldridge ; Duty Sergeants, Bartley
Morgan, H. F. Murphy, Anson J. Leach, Erwin Perry ; Corporals,
Abner Whituey, Wm. Goodrode, C. W. Collins, A. D. Kellogg.
Charles City Cemetery Association, — ^This association was
first organized Dec. 29, 1867, for the purpose of purchasing
and platting a piece of ground for the interment of the
dead, and to superintend the sale of the lots. The first officers
elected were:* David Wiltse, President; J. G. Patterson, Seo-
retary; John Muir, Treasurer; Abner Root, Harvey Kellogg
and E. P. Harrington, Trustees. Walter M. Stuart, who had
served as sexton for several years, was formally appointed sexton
by this board. Subsequently the organization almost died out, until
1865, when a reorganization was efiected, since which time the
association has kept itself active. The annual meetings occur on
the first Monday of January. The old organization purchased
eighty acres — now the western part of the cemetery — ^tbr $340, to
be paid for as the income from the sale of lots would warrant; but
during its existence, which became merely nominal, there was no
income, while about ninety interments were made. These inter-
ments were irregular and unrecorded, so that eventually it required
considerable trouble to identify and record them. Since 1866, Mr.
V. W. Baker, the efficient Secretary, has kept a faithful record of
the name of each person buried in the cem3tery, the number of
the lot, his or her age, nativity, cause of death, etc. For this pur-
pose he surveyed the grounds and platted them as neatly as the
art of surveying requires. Hjs maps are beautiful.
Wm. N. Fisher, subsequently devoted a piece of his land,
northeast of the first plat, to burial purposes, and more recently
the association has purchased and added nearly two and a
half acres northeast of that. On this a residence now stands,
which is to be removed, while a lot is provided across the
way eastward for a sexton's residence. A portion of the new
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712 HISTORY OF FLOYD COCNIT.
grounds, incladin^ Mr. Fisher's, seems flat and wet, but it doe9
hold standing water. The plan of the grounds, as surveyed, is
very beautiful, and ere many years, when the walks are improved
and the present designs for improvement carried out, it will equal
any cemetery in the West in respect to tasteful appearance. For
the purpose of so beautifying these grounds, the ladies of Charles
City have formed an association, an account of which we next
proceed to give.
The present oflicers of the Cemetery Association are: Joel W.
Smith, President; Nathan Phillips, Treasurer; V. W. Baker, Sec-
retary; Trustees: B. "W. Stevens, George F. Boulton and E. A.
Teeling.
The Catholic cemetery is a beautiful piece of ground of three or
four acres, about a mile and a half southeast of the city on the
Chickasaw road, northeast of the river.
We ought to state here that twenty-eight interments were made
in the old burying ground, in the western portion of the city,
from which all the remains have been removed to the new ceme-
tery except those of Mrs. Crosby and child, an Irishman, name
not given, and, possibly, one or two others. In early days, when it
was undecided what ground sliould be permanently chosen for a
cemetery, some desired the fine locality afterward occupied by
Hon. Wm. B. Fairfield, southeast of the city; and by some a lot
near the present depot was talked of. In the mean time a few
burials were made on private property.
The first burial in the new cemetery was that of John Wyman,
who was drowned.
Ladies^ Cemetery Improvement Association of Charles City. —
Pursuant to notice, a number of ladies and gentlemen met June
8, 1882, at the council room, to organize a ladies' cemetery im-
provement association. Judge Reiniger was called to the Chair,
and J. S. Bradley appointed Secretary. Committees were appointed
for various purposes, and at the next meeting, June 15, a consti-
tution and by-laws were adopted, and the following officers elected :
Mrs. M. E. Reiniger, President; Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Hering,
Vice-Presidents; Mrs. M. E. Baker, Recording Secretary; Mrs. V.
W. Baker, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. E. M. Waller, Treas-
urer; Executive Committee: A. B. Hildreth, B. W.Stevens, Mrs.
R. Kellog, and Miss Amanda Waller. All the moneys which have
80 far been raised have been by subscription, and this has been
libera] , nearly $200 having been contributed to their tand. Almost
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CHARLES CITY. 71 S
half this amonnt has been expended in cutting out walks pre.
paratory to graveling. It is proposed to raise additional funds by
public entertainments of some kind.
Relief Society. — On Thanksgiving day, 1871, a committee of
eight women were appointed to take steps toward organizing a relief
society. They met twice, adopted a constitution, and published an
appeal to the citizens. The above committee comprised Mesdames
Charles Slocnm, T. Conway, D. H. Saxton, B. F. Wright, B. Mc-
Donald, Schroeder, J. M. Stowe and L. S. Brown. This society
has given public entertainmente, and was favored with contribu-
tions for the poor, to the great credit of the citizens. And now,
annually, as this Puritanic festival comes round, the citizens as-
semble in some hall or church, and appoint a committee to dis-
tribute the offerings the more favored willingly give. Long may
this be a custom of the generous and God-fearing men and women
of this New England-like town, Charles City!
OharUs City Fire Company, — This company was organized
Dec. 14, 1881, and the following persons were duly elected its oflS-
cers: A. R. Sprague, President; D. Townsend, Vice-President;
W. D. Burnham, Secretary and Treasurer. The company has both
honorary and active members, the honorary paying $1 per year
for the support and maintenance of the company, while the active
members do all the work. The officers of the active company are:
Foreman, Capt. H. C. Baldwin; First Assistant Foreman, P. M. Wil-
bur; Second Assistant Foreman, Geo. Collins; Nozzleman, W. D.
Burnham; Investigating Committee, Peter Rose, E. B. Perry and
Joseph Duneter. There are about sixty honorary members and
about thirty active members. Meetings are held the nights of the
third Tuesday of every month. Officers are elected annually.
This company has a chemical engine of about one hundred gal-
lons' capacity, costing about $1,400. There is also a hook and
ladder apparatus which belongs to this company, consisting of com-
mon and adjustable ladders, ropes, buckets, etc. They are well pre-
pared to do battle with the fiery element. They also have a good
and comfortable engine-house, which is kept in good order. The
engine-house and engine-keeper, who must be an active member,
and who is appointed by the Common Council, is H. C. Hoard.
Oct. 5 a test was made of the new fire apparatus just purchased
at Chicago. Several loads of dry-goods boxes, barrels, etc., and
straw and shavings were piled up, and the whole thoroughly satu-
rated with kerosine oil. The engine, already charged, was stationed
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714 HI8T0ET OF FLOYD COUNTY.
about a hundred feet from this masB of combustibles. Fire was
set to the latter, in a minute it was all ablaze, the hose was turned
upon it, and in one minute more the flames were completely sub-
dued. The machine holds one hundred gallons of water, is charged
with carbonic-acid gas, and is always ready for use. It can be re-
charged in three or four minutes.
PuhUo Library, — As early as 1857 the establishment of a public
library in this place was urged, and at times afterward the matter
was brought up, until Nov. 11, 1871, when a meeting was held for
the purpose of organizing a library association under the laws of
the State. J. G. Patterson, C. S. Otis and E. A. Teeling were ap-
pointed a committee to draft articles of incorporation. It was pro-
posed to raise $1,000 to commence with. An appeal was issued to
the people, setting forth the advantages and importance of a public
library. Nothing much, however,was effected until the spring of
1878, when a public reading-room was opened, and a small nucleus
of a library established. The reading-room had a reasonable share
of patronage for the first year, but very little was done toward
enlarging the book collection. The expenses of this year were
$500, leaving cash on hand $150. Efforts were now renewed for
increasing the number of volumes in the library, with some de-
gree of success.
There are now (September, 1882) nearly 500 volumes in the
library, and the library-room is also kept open a? a reading-room,
from 10 A. M. to 12 M., from 1:30 to 5 p.m., and from 6 to 9:30 p. m.,
daily, except Sundays. The room is kept open for reading on Sun-
days, 2:30 to 5:30 p. m.
The Librarian is Miss Nellie Kelly. Of the association the
Directors are: A. B. F. Hildreth, W. D. Balch, 8. F. Farnham, Bur-
ritt Harwood, B. W. Stevens, J. W. Smith, Henry F. Miles, V. G.
Barney, F. A. Roziene and Alexander R. Spriggs. The officers
are: A. R. Spriggs, President; W. D. Balch, First Vice-President
and Treasurer; H. F. Miles, Second Vice-President; S. F. Farn-
ham, Corresponding Secretary; B. Harwood, Eecording Secretary.
Executive Committee: Messrs. Hildreth, Balch, Stevens and
Barney.
The association publishes a neat little pamphlet, giving a list of
books in the library and the rules and regulations.
Lyceum. — As early as Dec. 6, 1856, a lyceum, or debating club,
was organized in Charles City, by the election of A. B. F. Hildreth,
President; Sanford Harwood, Vice-President; T. D. Pooler, Sec-
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OHABLBS OTTY. 715
retary; and G. G. Reiniger, Treasurer. Constitution and by-laws
were adopted and critics appointed. Meetings to be held weekly,
at the school-house when that place should not be otherwise
engaged.
In the beginning of the winter of 1859-^60, a similar society
was organized and flourished during that and the succeeding win-
ters. Lectures by parties from abroad were secured by this club.
The lyceum was revived again Dec. 20, 1864. In 1866 an amateur
dramatic club was organized, which continued until January 1, fol-
lowing, when it suspended, as the churches essentially took away
their line of work. A lyceum was organized Nov, 26, 1871, which
flourished during the ensuing winter.
ArUhencBum Society. — In April, 1881, a young men's debating
club was organized in Charles City under this name, with J. S.
Bradley for President; E. I. Angell, Vice-President; H. L. Spauld-
ing, Secretary; B. F. Holcomb, Treasurer; Walter Stuart, Censor;
S. B. Allison and E. E. Smith, Editors; E. I. Angell, A. McG.
Huffman and J. A. Ferguson, Programme Committee. The society
«at with closed doors, in the council rooms, Tuesday evenings.
Honorary members were elected from time to time.
Gymnasiv/m,. — Under this name a society was organized some
years ago for physical exercise; but it soon gave its funds in aid of
a lecture association and died out.
Drwmg Pa/rk Association. — At a meeting of the signers to the
call for an association of this kind at Charles City, held in the
Union House parlors, June 21, 1882, A. K. Spriggs was elected
Chairman and George R. May, Secretary, on temporary organiza-
tion. The " Charles City Driving Park Association " was then
organized by the election of the following officers for the ensuing
year: J. S. Hoot, President; Morris Despres, Vice-President; S.
F. Famham, Treasurer, and R. D. Owens, Secretary. This meet-
ing decided to have a trotting and running July 14 and 15, or
tlie week following, and to give $1,500 in purses.
During the ensuing month (July) an exhibition was held at the
Charles City feir-grounds, which was attended with much interest.
jT^ Sportsman^s Clvh of Charles City has had a rather preca-
rious and desultory existence. The game has included everything
from a painted glass ball to a wild buffalo; the sports have included
all ranks; and the toggery varied from the coon-skin cap, fawn-skin
jacket and buckskin breeches, with a flint-lock rifle, to the high-.
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716 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
toned aniformed team of pigeon shooters with the latest breach-
loading Spencer's.
The organizations have varied as wide as the surroundings, and
to do justice to them would require from the historian a wide field
of investigation. As everything pertaining to Charles City must
start with Uncle Joe Kelly, so must sporting begin with 1850-'52
when he chased the deer, elk, and wild turkeys, over the present
site of this city, killing ten elk near where the brewery now stands.
William Flint and Dave Green killed two buffaloes just west of Flint
during the same years. In the winter of 1856 there was a deep
snow which crusted over and the people went out with clubs and
dogs and slaughtered all the deer; Uncle Joe would not go. He
said there was no " sport " in it. The dignity of a true hunter
would not allow of such advantage of the game. In December,
1871, the first organization was effected, but the club did no acts
entitling it to a name in history till its reorganization in 1878,
with the following oflScers and members: L. Lender, Captain; W.
D. Balch, President; A. M. Harrison, Secretary; A. G. Case
Treasurer; E. C. Chapin, Jacob Baier, J. E. Owens, Directors;
M. G. Tower, E. J. Fisher, S. Northcote, J. P. Taylor, C. M. Fer-
guson, John Ferguson, Charles Kitcher, D. H. Saxton and C. L.
Dyke.
Base Ball, — This fascinating art has been represented in Charles
City, by a club which engaged in two or three contests with similar
clubs elsewhere. It was strong and well managed, but died out
the next year.
TTie Fre^h Water Marines. — This club was organized in May,
1881, with a membership of nine. P. M. Wilbur is Admiral;
Burt Harwood, Commodore; P. R. Guiwits, Captain; Fred Bar-
ney, First Mate; Arthur Dennis, First Lieutenant and Gunner; C.
DeTorrence, Ensign; H. A. Bal tuff. Commissary; Arthur Mooney,
Cook. Fred Barney removing from the city in the spring of 1882^
Jo Clemens was elected First Mate in his stead. The object of the
club is health and recreation. They established a camp on the
Cedar -River, four miles north of Charles City, named "Camp
Wildwood, Home of the Fresh Water Marines."
In former times a number of small clubs and societies have en-
joyed a short existence; as, the ''Independent Society," in 1870-
'71; the '' Bantams " and the '' Shanghais," the " Bachelors " club,
etc. The latter was formed in 1871-'2, by twelve or thirteen bach-
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0HABLE8 CITY. 717
elors of Charles City, who had their annual reunions, suppers,
etc., for about three years, when so many of them had slipped into
the bridal noose that not a sufficient number were left even to man
the board of officers.
Knights of Horaiivs. — This dramatic club was organized Dec.
9, 1876, by gentlemen exclusively, and flourished for about four
years. Its officers had Latin titles, as Horatius Primus, Quaestor,
Princeps, Cliens, etc. The first officers were: Myron Morrell, H.
P.; C. E. Judd, N. C; C. D. Torrence, Q. P. Other prominent
members were Arthur W. Dennis, Harry A. Baltuff, F. E. Barney,
Jos. Clemens, M. T. Baiings, E. C. Hartshorn, W. R Hurd, B.
M. Cleveland, I. K. McAdams, B. Ferguson, etc. The club was
formed for mutual improvement in literary and histrionic en ture,
and held their regular meetings at the office of J. Evans Owens.
The Bos Bleu Glvh was organized in 1875, with a member-
ship of twenty. The following officers were elected: Miss Ella
Patterson (now Mrs. Billingsly, of Vinton, la.). President; Miss
Cary Barney, Ida Smith and Hattie Dyke, Dramatic Committee.
The object of the society was mutual improvement and a good
time. They gave a number of plays, parties, dances, and recep-
tions, and gave over $200 for the benefit of the poor. This
club was comprised of young ladies, and in their dramatic enter-
tainments they were assisted by the Bas Sale Club. There were
few changes made in the officers. The club disbanded some three
years after its organization and the money left in the treasury was
expended in books. The society was a very pleasant one and af-
forded much amusement.
The Bas Sale Club. — About a year after the organization of the
Bas Bleus,*a society of gentlemen organized themselves into a
club to be known as the Bas Sale (soiled stockings), and gave a
number of dramatic, literary and musical entertainments. First
officers: Dr. I. S. Abbott, President; Phil. Wilbur, Vice-Presi-
dent; Sam. Despres, Secretary; Alex. Despres, Treasurer; Frank
Koehler, Musical Director; Emory Morse, Chaplain; Shale Ellis,
Sergeant-at-arms; Niel Dyke, Business Manager. Mr. Koehler
afterward left Charles City, and Geo. Kay was elected to fill his
place. Among the exercises indulged in by this club were mock
trials, in one of which Mr. Sam. Despres distinguished himself by
imitating broken German, especially the dialect of a certain Ger-
man lawyer in Chicago. The meetings of this society were held
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718 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
in Dr. Abbott's dental parlors. Only three of the above men-
tioned gentlemen now reside in Charles City.
The Clio Chtb was organized in the spring of 1879, and was
without doubt the finest and most successful dramatic organization
in Northern Iowa. It was the last dramatic club in the city. Its
career was successful from the first and never failed to pack a
house. The members finally became scattered, and thus ended
the organization. The officers were: President, J. Evans Owens;
Secretary, P. R. Guiwits; Treasurer, S. H. Starr; Stage Manager,
W. D. Balch; Executive Committee, E. A. Owens, W. S. Har-
wood. Miss Hattie Dyke, Phil. M. Wilbur. This is but a very
brief sketch of one of the most useful societies in Charles City.
It was indeed an ornament to the city and a benefit to its members.
Saan-Hom Bcmd. — This band was first organized by L. L. Hunt-
ley, in 1864 or 1866. After he left the city the band did but little
or nothing, until a German teacher from New York came and
endeavored with his native tongue to drill the class, but with poor
success. The next leader was Prof. J. F. O. Smith, who "led"
them on to victory for about two years. The band then comprised
twelve to fifteen pieces.
May 22, 1866, concert and supper at Union Hall, by the Charles
City Sax-Horn Band, proceeds to by a wagon for their use to cost
$500. It was a brilliant success. The desired chariot was soon
afterward obtained, — a magnificent vehicle. During 1867 the
band had a law suit, considerable opposition and a very discourag-
ing time, but weathered it all bravely.
About this time the society, with the aid of friends, purchased
a fine band wagon, costing $650. This wagon is still the property
of the band.
Next after Prof Smith came Joseph Kelly as leader, then Hall,
Gibson, and then the "Sixth Regiment Cornet Band."
Nov. 3, 1880, the band was reorganized under the leadership of
Earl J. North, with thirteen men, and still flourishes, consisting of
Earl J. North, solo, B-flat cornet; A. Harvey, E flat comet;
Bird Cairns, first alto; James Ferguson, second alto; Warren
Klinetop, first tenor; George Brown, second tenor; Everett Kel-
logg, solo baritone; Henry P. Mapes, bass; Irving Kellogg,
drum and cymbals.
MISOELXANBOCS.
Many small items of interest cannot well b.e classified with the
regular lines of history, which have '* threads" extending through
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CHABLB8 oiry. 719
a number of years; and we are therefore obliged to throw them
together under the head of ** miscellaneous," arranging as well as
we can with some reference to their general character.
TEMPBKANOE.
Charles City is noted for its sober-mindedness. The citizens
generally are not only " temperate," with reference to drinking
spirituous liquors, but even given to total abstinence. During the
summer of 1857, drinking and gambling are chronicled as being
"introduced." Doubtless, however, both these things had been
indulged in prior to this, but it became more bold. Three parties
were arrested, one convicted, and a formal notice published in the
city paper that special efforts would be made to convict others who
might be guilty.
The above instance is typical and representative of the fight
between law and order on the one side, and drunkenness, gam-
bling, laziness and disorder on the other. When in 1869 Charles
City became an organized ** city " in law, and ofl5cers and alder-
men bad to be elected, the usual contest sprung up, of course,
between the license partie?', and sometimes one party would carry
the day, sometimes the other, and sometimes ''both," or neither-
In 1879 the license party carried every ward. Up to within
three or four days of the election it was generally believed that
"prohibition" was ahead, but then a general belief sprung up
that a few were setting up a ring to control county politics, and
straightway there was a general bolt. "In view of the resnlt,"
said the Intelligencer^ "the verdict cannot be otherwise than,
' Failed from an overdose of politics.' " At the present time, 1882,
the common council is anti-license, and is very difl5cult for parties
to obtain spirituous liquors to drink as a beverage. Even the
druggists refuse to sell such liquors, for any purpose whatever.
IK MBMORY OF PRESmENT LINCOLN.
April 27, 1865, appropriate public exercises were held in Charles
City, in accordance with the proclamation of the Governor that
the day be observed with humiliation and prayer on account of
the assassination of Lincoln. This was the day of his funeral ser-
vices. Under the auspices of an organization, there were a pro.
cession, music, oration, etc. A fall account is given in Chapter
VIII.
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720 HISTOBY OF FLOTD COUNTY.
IN MEMORY OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
As soon as the sad news of the death of President Garfield was
confirmed, Mayor Burr issued the following proclamation, Sept.
ember 20:
To the Citizens of Charles City. — Information having been
received of the death of James A. Garfield, President of the United
States, by the hand of an assassin; and whereas, it is deemed
fitting that some expression of the emotions excited by this most
calamitous event should be evidenced in a public meeting of the
people of this city, therefore it is requested that all places of busi-
ness be closed from and after 3 o'clock this afternoon; that the
nation's citizens repair to the Baptist church at 4:30 p. m., for
such services as shall be thought proper in view of the sorrow.
*'P. W. Burr, Mayor."
Accordingly a large audience assembled at the church, where
the Mayor called it to order in a few appropriate remarks. Short
addresses were made by B. F.Wright, G. F. Boulton, Dr. S. P.
Yeomans and Rev. C. T. Tucker, who were called upon by the
Mayor to address the meeting. At the close, the Mayor appointed
a committee of arrangements for holding funeral services the follow-
ing Monday, the day of Garfield's interment. The programme for
the day was, 1. Dirge, by North's Cornet Band; 2. Invocation, by
Rev. C.T. Tucker; 3. Hymn; 4. Introductory, by Chairman, G. H.
Nichols; 5. Eulogy, by B. F. Wright; 6. Hymn; 7. Short
addresses, by Mayor P. W. Burr, J. Evans Owens, A. W. Cook,
A. M. Harrison, Major M. Lynch, Rev. Father Gunn and Rev. E.
Casselman; 8. Selected poem, by H. C. Raymond; 9. Hymn; 10.
Closing prayer and benediction, by Rev. H. Kaste. 11. Dirge, by
tlie Band. These services were held on the Public Square, where
a large and attentive audience assembled.
MEETINGS.
Oct. 10, 1871, the second day of the fire at Chicago, the citizens
organized for the collection and forwarding of the necessaries of
life to the destitute of that fated city.
Oct. 19, annual joint meeting of the Garnavillo and Mitchell
Associations of Congregationalists at Charles City. April 11, 1872,
first grange organized.
July 9, 1872, Methodist campmeeting in O. W. Hart's grove,
eighty rods from the Milwaukee depot, Charles City. Weather
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0HAELE8 CITY. 721
iavorable and a good time enjoyed. A hundred or more converts
professed religion.
Aug. 25, 1874, Union Camp-meeting, under the auspices of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Oct.13-14, Fourth District Press
Association met in Charles City.
May 10, 1881, Masonic Hall, meeting of the Grand Chapter of
the O. E. S. of Iowa; Mrs. R. C. Mathews, Rockford, Grand
Matron.
June 7, 1881, ninth annual session of the Decorah District Con-
ference of the M. E. church.
May 10-11, 1882, Editorial Association for the Fourth Congres-
sional District.
June 21-28, convention of School Superintendents.
This list could doubtless be extended.
CASUALTIES.
1857, prairie fires around Charles City, destroying much prop-
erty. To stand on an eminence a few miles east of the village
and see the hills around it covered with fire was a magnificent spec-
tacle.
1865, William Grow, drowned: the first death in the county.
Elsewhere noticed.
1857, July 4, John Hill seriously wounded by the bursting of a
sledge hammer under a pile of anvils.
1858, April 27, John W. Wyman, a highly respected young
man, twenty-three years of age, was drowned in the Cedar
just below the dam of the new saw-mill. Ue approached too near
the dam, on the lower side, in a skifi^, and the falling water capsized
his boat and precipitated him into the raging waters. Two or
three men endeavored immediately to swim to his rescue, but failed
on account of the violence of the currents.
Mr.BLillman, of Union Township, was killed at Charles City by
being thrown out of a wagon, his head striking against a saw-log
near Kelly's mill. He was intoxicated.
1861, Feb. 10, Sunday, at St. Charles City, a lad of half a dozen
years found himself an involuntary prisoner in the Baptist church.
It appears that he had fallen asleep and remained so at the close of
service, and being unperceived by the sexton he was locked in.
Some time during the night he awoke, and finding how matters
stood he made the church hideous with his outcries. Agentleman,
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783 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
liying near, arrived just in time to hear the glass jingle and see the
boy emerge through the broken window.
1862, June 30, Enoch Harvey was canght and drawn aronnd a
shaft in a steam saw-mill and killed.
1862, Oct. 10, A. H. Buel was killed in a well, by a bucket
falling upon him.
1862, Oct. 23, great conflagration in the city, which consumed
two hotels, six stores, two jewelry shops, one tailor shop and one
law office. Loss about $50,000. This constituted the greater por-
tion of the business part of the city. The fire broke ont in the roof
of the Kelly Hotel about 2:30 p. m., when the wind was high, and it
immediately became uncontrollable. By special efforts, the Intdli'
gencer office was saved. The hotels destroyed were the Kelly Hotel
and the Magnolia House ; the law office was that of G. G. & R. G.
Beiniger ; the other principal losers were J. W. Lehmkohl, Carl
Merckel, D. Davidson, J. StoUe, Messrs. Smilie & Bennett, the
jewelers, and Ferguson & Sampson.
1864, Sept. 8, the dwelling-house of Samuel Hackley, on the
west side of the river, was destroyed by fire, with all the contents.
The family, who were absent when the fire broke out, had not even
a change of clothing saved. Origin of the fire unknown.
Sept. 26,* Charles Allen's house was burned. No insurance.
Origin of fire unknown.
1863, one case of small-pox, but very light Rumor abroad
made it that the place was badly afflicted with that disease.
1865, Nov. 2, .George W. Kellogg, son of Harvey Kellogg,
accidentally killed himself by the explosion of a gun, while he
was attempting to kill an owl in a barn.
1866, January, the wife of Col. Abner Root was fatally burned
by falling on a cooking stove at her residence.
1866, April 2, ninety feet of the Charles City bridge and one pier
were taken away by the flood.
1866, July 4, Frankie Slick was killed by the explosion of a
rocket.
1867, June 13, the wagon shop of Wm. Korenkie, on Clark
street was burned ; loss, $1,200 ; insurance, $800. Origin of the
fire unknown. Created great alarm, as other buildings were in
peril.
1867, October, a child, seventeen months old, belonging to
Friedrick Phin, of Charles City, was scalded to death, by drawing
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0HABLB8 onr. 733^
upon itself a dish of hot saace from the table, daring a few min-
ntes' absence of its mother.
1868, Oct 14 (or 17), Frank Weldon (or Welding) was kUled by
the falling of a bent at the engine station-house of the Illinois
Central Railway. His residence was at Iowa Falls, where he had
a wife and child. This was the first railroad casualty in the county.
1868, Dec. 8, an alarming fire broke out in the court-house, but
was soon extingushed. Damage only $25. Cause, defective lathing.
1868. One cold morning in December, Augustus Grams found
a horse frozen in the river nearly up to the gambrel joints, and had
to get an ax aud cut away the ice in order to release him. It is
supposed that the animal crossed a strip of ice to get a drink, and
found it too slippery to return to the bank,— or else he decided to
take a footbath!
1869, Nov. 17, Henry Sage was struck by a train at the railroad
bridge and killed.
41870. In the fall, C. W. Atkinson, a druggist, drowned himself in
the river. He had been sick for some time and confined to his
room, but suddeply escaped from his attendants in a fit of delirium
to commit the suicidal act. .
1871, April 6, S. G. Bryant's building, a two-story frame oppo-
site the Union House, was burned down.
1876, Jan. 13, A dog belonging to Sheriff Miner stopped a run-
away team in Charles City, by catchino^ hold of the lines.
1876, June 24 (or 25), Herman Gherken (or Gherkins), was
drowned near the dam.
1879, diphtheria prevailed. Charles City, by its council, ap-
pointed a board of health, which issued a proclamation forbidding
assemblages of all kinds within doors, except court and election.
Some people, of course, thought this a hard and inefl5cient meas-
ure, and disobeyed the regulation. This board was also accused
(but wrongfully) of endeavoring to impede the temperance move-
ment, which depends to a great extent upon holding meetings.
Milwaukee Depot Burned. — Just after the close of morning
service, Sunday, May 15, the city was startled by the cry of fire.
It was soon found that the Milwaukee depot was in flames, started
in the roof by sparks from the locomotive of the stock express
going east. The fire was discovered by the station agent, Mr. Gil-
bert, who, with his assistants, made every eftort to extinguish it.
This was found to be impossible, and attention was turned to sav-
ing the papers, etc., in the office and the articles in the baggage-
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724 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
room. All was rescued except the telegraph instraments and one
trunk. The freight room was full of goods, but little was saved.
Six cars of freight on the side track were consumed. The loss was
in the neighborhood of $10,000, with but little insurance.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Henry C. Aldrichj M. D. and D, D. S.j one of the leading phy
sicians of Charles City, was born in the city of Minneapolis,
Minn. His parents were Cyrus and Clara A. (Heaton) Aldrich.
She was a native of New York and he of Rhode Island, where he
received his edacation. When a young man he emigrated to
Northern Illinois, and was one of the owners of the Chicago &
Galena stage line and helped build the Illinois & Lake Michigan
Canal. He was a member of the Illinois Legislature and receiver
of public moneys at the land office at Dixon, III. In 1856 he re-
moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and engaged in the real estate busi-
ness. He was elected a member of the Minnesota Legislature and
a member of Congress from Minnesota, in 1861. He died in Oc-
tober, 1871, aged sixty-three years. His wife resides in Minneapo-
lis. She and husband had a family of three daughters and one
son, two living, viz: Villa, wife of D. H. Wright, commission
merchant at Minneapolis, Minn, and Henry C, subject of this
sketch. He attended the Minneapolis High School and State Uni-
versity until 1877, when he began the study of dentistry graduating
from the Dental Department of the University of Pennsylvania,
then beginning the study of medicine, graduating from the Hahne-
mann Medical College, of Philadelphia. He located in Charles
City, la., May, 1881, where he has since practiced the profession
of medicine, establishing a large and lucrative practice. He is
the city physician. Dr. Aldrich was married to Miss Mary Whit-
ney at Minneapolis, Sept. 24, 1879. She was the first white child
born at Clear Water, Minn., and in honor of that event was pre-
sented a lot in Clear Water, Minn. She was a daughter of Sam-
uel N. and Abbie (Hay) Whitney. Dr. Aldrich and wife attend
the Congregational church in Charles City. He is a member of
and Medical Examiner in the Iowa Legion of Honor, and in politics
a Republican.
Edgar F. Athertoriy one of the leading merchants of Charles
City, is a native of Vermont, born in Moretown, Washington
County, March 28, 1844; his parents were Joseph L. and Lucy B.
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0HABLE8 CITY. 736
■(Adamg) Atherton, natives also of the Green Mountain State. He
resided in Moretown until 1858, when he came with his parents to
Floyd County, la. They still reside on their farm in Cedar Town-
ship, and have a family of four children, three sons and one daugh-
ter, viz.: Ella A., who married John O. Adams; Eddie B., residing
with his parents in Cedar Township; Walter E., also residing on the
old homestead; Edgar F., subject of this sketch, was the eldest son ;
his parents moved to Floyd, la., when he was fourteen years old and
resided there until 1870, when he went to Orchard Station, Mitchell
County, and opened a store of general merchandise, remaining until
tlie fall of 1879, when he sold out and located in Charles City, where
he established his present business. He occupies a building 66 x 21
feet two stories in height and carries a full and complete stock
of imported and domestic goods, ladies' goods, dry goods, notions,
and clothes, hats, caps, gloves and mittens. Mr. Atherton mar-
ried Miss Amelia Wilbur, June 6, 1869, at Floyd; she was bom in
Otsego County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Henry and Ange-
line (Moore) Wilbur, natives of New York, and of Quaker descent.
Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are members of the Congregational church,
and have had a family of two children, viz. : Earnest W., born Aug.
17, 1870, and Winifred L., July II, 1877. Mr. Atherton is one
of the enterprising representative^ business men of Charles City,
and an old settler of Floyd County, having been identified with
the county since 1858. He is a charter member of the V. A. S.
Fraternity, Charles City Lodge. In politics rather independent
and inclined to vote for the best man. He is of Scotch descent.
Edrrmnd Austin^ retired farmer, and Vice-President of the
Charles City National Bank and Charles City Water-Power Com-
pany, was bom in Skaneateles, Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan. 4,
1821; his parents were Silas and Mary A. (Patchen) Austin,
natives of New York. He was a farmer and they were members
of the Episcopal church, and had a family of five sons and two
daughters; five lived to be men and women. Edmund, subject of
this sketch, was the eldest child and soon after his birth his parents
removed to Cayuga County, N., Y. where he farmed until his
marriage to Eliza Browning, which occurred March 4, 1852. She
was bom in Sommersetshire, England; was a daughter of Mathew
and Nancy (Davis) Browning, also natives of England. Soon
after his marriage Mr. Austin moved to Skaneateles, N. Y.,
where he bought land and engaged in farming until the year o
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726 HI8T0EY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
1864, when he went to Winnebago County, 111., and in the spring
of 1855 came to Charles City, la., and purchased a farm in St.
Charles Township which he still owns, and cultivated until
March, 1882, when he rented it and moved into Charles City,
where he bought a residence and has since lived, leading a life of
retirement from active business. Mr. Austin and wife are mem-
bers of the Christian church and have had a family of three children ;
the eldest, John P., died in infancy, and two are living, viz.: Sarah
N., bom Nov. 28, 1856, resides with her parents, and Willis
B., one of the proprietors of the Centennial Mills of Charles City,
bom Jan. 19, 1859. Mr. Austin was elected Vice-President t»f
the Charles City National Bank upon its organization in 1876 and
has been Vice-President of the Water-Power Company since Feb.
1880. He owns a farm of 365 acres in St. Charles Township and
240 acres in Union Township. He also owns property in Charles
City, and stock in the Water-Power Company and in the Charles
City National Bank. He is one of the few old settlers of 1855 tiow
living and has seen Floyd County change from its old uncultivated
state to its present prosperous condition. When he came to
Charles City there were but three frame buildings and a few I ►g
cabins. In politics Mr. Austin is rather independent.
V. W. Baker, carpenter, was born in Worcester County, Mass.,
June 12, 1820. His parents were Vickery and Priscilla (Walker)
Baker, natives of Massachusetts. His father died in 1870 in
Vermont, in which State his mother still lives, at the age of eighty-
seven. The subject of this sketch received a common-school edu-
cation in Vermont. He was married in 1852 to Sarah P. Darkee,
a native of Vermont, They removed to Illinois soon after, and
lived at Rockford until 1857, when they removed to Floyd County.
They had four children, two of whom are living — Alice, teaching
in Indianapolis, and Estella, at home. Mrs. Baker died in 1870,
and he was again married, in 1871, to Estella M. Patton, a native
of New York. Thej have had two children — Clifford, and Gracie
(deceased). Politically, Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a
member of the Baptist church.
WUliam D. BaUh^ of the firm of Reiniger & Balch, bankers, of
Charles City, is a native of New Hampshire, born in the town of
Clareraont, Jan. 2, 1834. His parents were William S. and Ade-
line G. (Capron) Balch, natives of Vermont. He was a minis-
ter of the Uuiversalist church and is still living, a retired
minister, of Elgin, 111., now in his seventy-seventh year. She
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CHARLES onr. 727
died in 1855. They had a family of eight children, four sons
and foar daughters. William D., the subject of this sketch, was
the eldest son. When a child, his parents removed to New York
City, his father having charge of a church there. He attended
school in New York City until fourteen when he entered the
Clinton Liberal Institate, at Clinton, N. Y., remaining three
years. He returned to New York City and engaged in banking,
on Wall street, until the spring of 1865, when he came to Charles
City, la., and started the first bank in the city, under the firm
name of Mitchell, Fairfield & Balch, and in 1867, E. C. Chapin,
now editor of the Davenport, la., Gazette^ purchased Mr.
Mitchell's interest, and the firm remained Chapin, Fairfield &
Balch, until 1873, when Mr. Chapin retired from the firm, and in
1875 Judge Reiniger bought Judge Fairfield's interest and the firm
has since remained Reiniger & Balch. Mr. Balch married Miss
Ellen M, Melville, Jan. 19, 1868. She was born in New York
City and was a daughter of Henry B. Melville, a manufacturing
jeweler, of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Balch had four children,
one living, viz.: Estelle L., born in New York City, in October,
1861. Their mother died in 1864. Mr. Balch married Miss
Maria A. Palmer, at Charles City, Feb. 11, 1868. She was born
in Maine, and is a daughter of Dr. William M. Palmer and Anna,
Ties Shaw. He was a physician, of Charles City. Mr. and Mrs.
Balch have had four children, two living, viz.: Margaret and
Stevens. Mr. Balch is one of the old settlers and an enterprising
representative business man of Charles City. He was elected
Mayor of the city one year, has been Treasnrer of Charles City and
Floyd County Agricultural Society, and also Treasurer of the Inde-
pendent School District, a number of years. He is Vice-President
of the First National Bank, of Mason City, and active in its man-
agement. In politics he has always been a supporter of the Repub-
lican party.
Ool. V. O. Bwmeyy formerly a marble manufacturer in Ver-
mont, where he owned a quarry, is a native of the Green Mount-
ain State, bom in Swanton, Franklin County, Aug. 26, 1834, a
son of George and Emma D. (Goodrich) Barney. They were also
natives of Vermont and members of the M. E. church; they had
a family of four sons and four daughters, Col. V. G. being the
second son; he attended school until nineteen when he clerked in
a store a couple of years, then took charge of the marble mills
at Dauby, Rutland County, Vt, and remained there three years;
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728 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
then took charge of the mills at Swanton until 1861 when he
enlisted in the Independent Company which afterward became
Company A, First Vermont Regiment; enlisted for three months,
and was Orderly Sergeant of the company; at the end of the three
months returned to Swanton and soon after re-enlisted in Company
A, Ninth Vermont Regiment, and was elected Captain of this
company; remained as Captain one year, when he was Conmiis-
sioned Lieut. -Colonel of the regiment, and held that position until
the close of the war, when he returned home and engaged in the
marble business four years; when, owing to trouble with his longs
from exposure in army, went to Florida six months, then removed
with hie family to Minneapolis, Minn. He engaged in the real
estate business there three years, then came to Charles City, in
1872, and has loaned money and speculated in land here since.
Mr. Barney married Miss Maria L. Hadwen, April 21, 1857;
she was bom in Danby, Vt., and was a daughter of John and
Abigail (Baker) Hadwen; they were Quakers, and natives of New
York; they had a family of nine children, seven daughters and two
sons. Mrs. Col. Barney is a member of the M. E. church. They
have had four children, viz.: Caroline E., bom Feb. 7, 1858; Fred
E., Oct. 10, 1859, is Assistant Cashier in Commercial Bank of
Minneapolis, Minn.; Bertha M., born July 9, 1866; Frank, Oct. 3,
1871. Mr. Barney is one of the representative business men and
citizens of Charles City, and is one of the directors of the First
National Bank here. He owns a farm of 200 acres in St. Charles
Township, 160 acres in Sioux County, la., eighty acres in Chick-
asaw County, and 400 in Wright County. In politics he is a
tlepublican and cast the first vote for John C. Fremont for Presi-
dent of the United States. He has been a supporter of that party
since. He is of Welsh, English and French descent. His father put
in the first American marble tile flooring in the United States; he is
still living and actively engaged in business at Swanton, Vt.
Col. V. Q. Barney's brother, Elisha L. Barney, was Colonel of the
Sixth Vermont Infantry Volunteers, and was killed in the battle
of the Wilderness, in Virginia, in 1864. Mr. Barney has always
taken an active interest in educational matters, and for the past six
years has been a member of the School Board. He has been a
member of the City Council two yeai's. He is liberal in his views
politically as well as religiously; he has always taken an active
interest in any thing that promised progression to Charles City.
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CHARLES CITY. 725^
He secured an appropriation from City Council to lay out city
park and set out the trees, and lay out walks. Mr. Campbell and
Mr. Barney own the Park House.
e/. A. Becker^ Clerk of St. Charles Township and farmer, was
born in Vernon, Oneida County, N. T., on Dec. 24, 1837. His
parents, Jacob and Melissa R. (Knox) Becker, were natives of New
York, and had a family of two children, viz. : Melissa J., who mar-
ried J. S. Freeman, and the subject of this sketch. His father
died two weeks before he was born, and his mother afterward mar-
ried Lyman Jacobs. J . A. lived in Vernon with his mother and
stepfather on a farm and attended school until twenty-one, when
he attended tlie Oneida Conference Seminary two terms; then
took a three-months' course at Eastman's Business College
Poughkeepsie. He then began teaching school, and taught winters
and worked summers at the carpenter's trade seven years; then
came to Charles City, la., in March, 1870. He has been engaged
in farming since. He taught school in St. Charles Township the
winter of 187I-'2. He married Addie L. Griswold, Oct. 23, 1867.
She was bom in Augusta, Oneida County, N. T., and was a daugh-
ter of Warren H. and Aroxsa (Hart) Griswold. Mr. and Mrs.
Becker are members of the M. E. churcli and have had one s ►n,
viz.: Warren Earl, born Aug. 30, 1881. In the spring of 1879,
Mr. Becker was appointed Township Clerk, but by subsequent
election has held that office since. He has held the office of Sec-
retary of the School Board since 1872, and that of Assessor three
years. In politics he is a Republican. He is one of the enter-
prising, representative men of Charles City, and farmers of Floyd
County, where he has been identified since 1870. He is of Mo-
hawk Dutch and New England desent.
De Chrand Benjamin^ retired fanner, miller and manufacturer
of cheese, was bom in De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y., Oct.
2, 1816, a son of Elias P. and Martha (Rich) Benjamin. She was
from Connecticut, and he was a native of Dutchess County, N. T.
He was a miller and farmer. They were members of the Univer-
salist church, and had a family of six sons and three daughters.
De Grand, subject of this sketch, was the third son. '^ He attended
school — working on his father's farm — until twenty-one, when he
engaged in teaching school in Madison County, continuing seven
years. He was married to Miss Roxalina Sexton, Sept. 23, 1843,
at Union Valley, Portland County, N. T. She was born there
and was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Carpenter) Sexton.
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730 HI8T0BY OF FLOTD COUNTY.
After Mr. Benjamin was married he located in Union Valley, and
through liis efforts a postoffice was established here and he was
appointed Postmaster. He also owned and conducted a farm
there. In 1849 he returned to the home of his boyhood and pur-
chased a farm within two miles of his father, and engaged in
farming and milling until his father's death. He inherited the
old homestead of his father. The State chaigiJ the course of the
river that propelled his mill for canal purposes, soon after, so he
converted his mill into a cheese factory. In March, 1874, he came
to Charles City, la., purchased some property and has since resided
here, engaged in speculating and loaning money. Mrs. Benja-
min is a member of the Congregational. church. They have had
three childrien, two living, viz.: Martha A., born March 27, 1847,
and Alida H., bom May 8, 1852. Mr. Benjamin is one of the
enterprising, representative men of Charles City. In politics,
he was first a Democrat, but at the outbreak of the war became a
strong Republican and has since supported that party. He is a
man liberal in his views, original in mind, and a strong believer
in all men having equal rights. He is of English descent. He
owns a nice home and eight lots in Charles City, and a farm of
120 acres in Scott Township, most all under cultivation and well
stocked.
Edward Berg ^ one of the oldest and most prominent business men
of Charles City, was born in Eutin, Oldensburg, Germany, on Aug.
6, 1844, a son of Adoph and Sophia Berg, nee Boessing, who had
a family of seven children. They were members of the Lutheran
church, and Mr. Adolph Berg was a Privy Councilor of the Gov-
ernment of Oldenburg. Edward attended school in Germany,
making a specialty of the studies of chemistry and forrestry until
twenty-two years of age, when he came to the United States, landed
at New York, and from there went at once to St. Louis, Mo. He re-
mained there a short time, and in December, 1867, came to Charles
City, where he clerked for J. H. Stolle, until March, 1873, when
he open his present store. He carries a complete stock of groceries,
provisions and staple goods, also keeps a full line of crockery and
chinaware. One department of his store is devoted to drugs and
medicines of all kinds. This stock is valued at $3,000. He is
agent for the German Fire Insurance Company, of Freeport, 111.,
and has had the agency since 1871. Politically, he is independent
in his views.
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0HABLE8 OTTY. 731
F. A, Burton^ proprietor of the Charles City livery, feed and
sale stable, was born in Andover, Vt., March 7, 1864; his parents
were Horace and Mary A. (Taylor) Burton. They were natives
of Vermont and had a family of four sons and three daughters.
Frank A., subject of this memoir, was the youngest; he attended
school in Andover, Vt., until thirteen or fourteen years of age, when
he emigrated with his parents to Black Earth, Dane County, Wis.,
where he attended school two years; then worked in the "Wisconsin
pineries on the Mississippi River one year; then came to Charles
City, and attended the High School four years; then he purchased
his present livery, feed and sale stable. Mr. Burton married Miss
Emma Henderson, at Charles City, la. She was born in Mount
Carroll, 111., in 1856, and was a daughter of Berry and Amanda
C. (Touce) Henderson. Mr. and Mrs. Burton have one daughter
— Miss Jessie M., bom June 24, 1879. Mr. JBurton is one of the
enterprising, representative business men of Charles City. He
was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Floyd County for four years.
He owns and runs the largest and most complete stables in the
city. He keeps from eighteen to twenty fine buggy and carriage
horses and a full line of buggies and carriages. Mr. Bnrton has
taken the premium for carriage horses at the county fair, ever
since he came here. He is a thorough gentleman and has the con-
fidence and respect of all who know him. Mr. Burton started at
seventeen years of age to make his way in the worid, and it is by
his own efforts that he has educated himself and established his
present business.
Joseph Clemens^ of the firm of Joseph Clemens & Co., manu-
facturers of wagons, carriages and buggies, Charles City, was a
son of Jacob and Gertrude Clemens, nee Guble, and was bom
June 30, 1829, in Ediger, on the River Mosle, Prussia, Germany.
He was the youngest of a family of six children, and was the recip-
ient of a practical business education in his native country. He
also learned the furniture-maker's trade there, and when twenty
years of age, came with three of his brothers to the United States.
They landed at New York, and from there went to Milwaukee,
Wis., where Joseph worked at the cabinet-maker's trade three
years, and at the wagon-maker's one year; then went to Dubuque,
la. He opened a shop there, and remained until 1867, when he
went to McGregor, la., continuing tliere his former business. In
July, 1872, he came to Charles City, where he has been prominently
45
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732 HISTORY OF FLOID COUNTY.
identified with the business interests since. In September, 1857,
Mr. Clemens married Agnes Zumhof, a native of Hanover, Ger-
many. They have five children — Joseph, Jr., who is employed in
his father's shop; Michael, clerking in Mile's drug store; Mollie,
Lucy and Augusta. Formerly Mr. Clemens was Republican in
his political views, but of late has become rather independent,
voting for principle rather than party.
Maurice S. Cole, one of Floyd County's early settlers, is one of
the oldest wagon-makers of this county. He is a native of Ver-
mont, and was born in Sutton, Orleans County, on Feb. 14,
1827. His parents, Andrew and Mary A. Cole, were natives of
Providence, R. I., and had a family of six sons and one daugh-
ter. Maurice, subject of this sketch, was the youngest. . He
lived on the farm with his father until sixteen, then went to Charles-
ton, Vt., and worked one year at his trade, that of a wagon maker;
thence to HoUiston, Mass., where he spent two years, learning the
boot and shoe trade; he then returned to Charleston, Vt, and worked
at the wagpn-maker's trade until January, 1854, when he went to
Gasconade County, Mo., and teamed there on the Missouri Pacific
Road until October, 1856, when he came to Charles City, la., and
teamed from Charles City and McGregor, la., until May, 1856,
when he opened his wagon-shop, and has been engaged in this
business since, and is now the oldest wagon-maker in the county.
Mr. Cole married Mary A. Ingram, at Charles City, in 1858. She
was born in Vermont, and was a daughter of Henry Inojrara — a
farmer. Mr, and Mrs. Cole have one child, a daughter — Celia.
Mr. Cole is one of the early, few old settlers now living in Floyd
County. When he came to Charles City there were but three frame
buildings in the town, and he has seen its change from a wild, un-
cultivated state to the present prosperous condition. In politics
Mr. Cole is rather independent, and inclined to vote for the best
man.
Charles P. Collms^ Jr,^ stone mason and contractor, Charles
City, is one of the old settlers of Floyd County. He was bom
opposite the town of Newport, at the head of Memphremagog
Lake, Canada, Feb. 18, 1829. His parents were Charles P. and
Mary J. W. (Rever) Collins; he was born in Chicopee, Mass., and
she was a native of Canada; he was a painter and stone cutter and
a member of the Baptist church, and she was a member of the Uni-
versalist church. They had one child, viz.: Charles P., Jr., subject
of this sketch. When he was an infant he removed with his parents
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CHABLE8 onr. 738
to Lowell, Mass., where be attended school nntil nineteen, when
he learned the stone-mason^s trade; when twenty-three he went to
Warner, N. H., and worked here and at Nashua until the spring of
1853 when he came West to Beloit, Wis., and worked at his trade
here until the spring of 1857; then came to Iowa and located in
Charles City. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E,
Twelfth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and was in the battles of
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh and was taken prisoner at
Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was taken to Corinth, Memphis, Tenn^
Jackson, Miss., Mobile and Montgomery, Ala., thence to Camp
Oglethrop, Macon, Gra., where he remained in the rebel prison
four months, then was removed to Columbus, S. C, thence
to Wilmington, N. C, thence to Raleigh, N. C, thence to the
'' Libby Prison." He was paroled Oct. 20, 1862. He went first to
Annapolis, Md., from there to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo.,
where he joined the fifteen men that were left of his company ; he
was then in the fight at Springfield, Mo., when he returned to St.
Louis and was mustered out of the service on account of disability,
March 17, 1863. He returned home to Charles City, until the fall
of 1864, when he re-enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Iowa
Infantry Volunteers, and went with Sherman on his march to the
sea, around to Washington, thence to Louisville, Ky., and was
discharged at Davenport, la., at the close of the war. He again
returned home to Charjes City, la., where he has since resided.
Mr. Collins was promoted Orderly Sergeant of his company;
at the battle of Fort Donelson he was wounded with a musket
ball which passed through his right hand. Mr. Collins married
Miss Elizabeth Osgood, April 11, 1841. She was born in New
Hampshire. The firuits of this marriage were three sons and one
daughter, viz.: Chas. H., who married Miss Eveline Clark; he is a
mason and they reside at Vemdale, Minn. Ellen M. is the wife
of Frank Kellogg; he is engineer of the Charles City Furniture
factory. William C. Collins married Miss Catherine Allen; they
reside in Charles City, where he works at his trade of brick mason,
and Frank E. Collins, engaged in farming at Osage, Mitchell
County, la. Mr. Charles P. Collins married his present wife, Miss
Minnie Cold, May 28,1868. She was bom in Bennington, Ben-
nington County, Vt, and was a daughter of Lorenzo Cold. Mr.
Collins is one the few old settlers of Floyd County now living;
he is one of the enterprising men and citizens of Charles City,
where he has been identified since its infancy. In politics he is a
Bepnblican and has always been a strong supporter of this party-
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734 HI8TOEY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
William W. Dennis^ Deputy County Eecorder of Floyd County,
is a native of Ohio, and was born on a farm in Wayne County,
May 16, 1838. His parents were William and Rebecca (Luther)
Dennis, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the
Universalist church, and was by trade a carpenter and joiner, and
also followed farming. She was a member of the Lutheran
church. They had a family of four sons and four daughters,
William, subject of this sketch, being the youngest son. He attended
school winters, working on his father's farm until seventeen, when
his mother died. He then worked at the carpenter's trade during
the summer, attending school winters until twenty-one, and on May
19, 1861, he married Miss Angle Isora Logan at Seville, Medina
County, O. She was bom in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of
William and Mary (Beale) Logan, natives of Pennsylvania and mem-
bers of the Baptist church. After his marriage, on Nov. 14, 1861, Mr.
Dennis enlisted in Company D, Third Battalion U.S. Infantry, and
remained in the service three years. He was in various battles,
among them the first siege of Corinth, Miss., in the month
of April and in May, 1862. He fought in the battle of Perryville,
Kentucky, Oct. 8, 1862; Stone River battles Dec. 31, 1862, and
Jan. 12, of 1863, and the battle of Hoovers Gap, Tenn., June
^6, 1863. The last sixteen months of his service he was detailed
as a recruiting officer at Toledo, O., and was discharged at Colum-
bus,0., Nov. 14, 1864. He remained in Ohio some time then
removed to Bourbon, Marshall County, Ind., and followed his trade
until July 19, 1865, when he located in Charles City, la. He fol-
lowed contracting and building here until 1878, when, owing to
failing health, he abandoned his trade, and on April 8, 1879, he
was appointed his present office as Deputy County Recorder. Mr.
and Mrs. Dennis are members of the Christian church, and have
one son, viz.: Arthur W., born Feb. 19, 1862. He is clerk in the
Charles City Savings Bank. Mr. Dennis is one of the enterpris-
ing representative men and citizens of Charles City, where he has
been identified since June, 1865. He is Secretary of St. Charles
Lodge, A. F. ife A. M., No. 141, and has held this office seven years.
He has been a Mason since twenty-one years of age. In politics
he is a Republican and cast his first vote for A. Lincoln, first term.
He is of English, Irish, Scotch and German descent.
ChistcwuB B. Eastman^ retired banker and First Assistant Inter-
nal Revenue Assessor for Floyd County, la., is a native of Ver-
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CHABLE8 CITY. 736
mont, born in New Haven, Addison County, Nov. 20, 1820. His
parents were Silas N. and Amanda (Bird) Eastman ; his father
was a saddle and harness maker, and both were natives of Ver-
mont and members of the Congregational church. They had a
family of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Qustavus B.,
subject of this sketch, was the second son. When some three years
of age he removed with his parents to Hopkiaton, N. Y., where
he lived three years; thence to Mai one, Franklin County, where he
attended school one year; then to Madrid, N. Y. There he at-
tended school and worked in the harness-shop with his father until
seventeen, when the family removed to Ogdensburg, N. Y.; one
year later they moved to Heuvelton, and Mr. E. taught school in
Morley, Canton Township, and other schools in the vicinity. He
was Deputy Clerk of St. Lawrence County until 184:6, when he
came to Milwaukee, Wis.; remained hero until the fall, when he
went to Roscoe, 111., and taught school one winter; thence to Rock-
ford, HL, and worked for William Hulin, County Recorder, one
year, when he began to work for Robertson & Hall, lawyers
and land agents and bankers at Rockford. In the fall of 1852 he
went to Dixon, 111., and oponed a bank and land office under the
firm name of Robertson, Eastman & Co. ; remained there until
1855, when he came to Dubuque, la., and engaged in buying and
selling Iowa lands at Dubuque and Decorah, until the spring ot
1856, when he moved to Charles City, la., where he has since re-
mained; he engaged in the land and banking business until the fall
of 1858, and since then has been operating in lands. In 1862 he
was appointed Assistant Internal Revenue Assessor of Floyd
County, and held that position until Jan. 1, 1864, when he resigned
to accept the office of County Recorder of Floyd County, and held
that office eight years; since then has speculated in land and city
property. In 1857 Mr. Eastman, Duncan Ferguson, Samuel Rid-
dill and Samuel Hackley built a sau-mill in the north part ot
Charles City, this being the second steam mill in Charles City.
Mr. Eastman married Eleanor S. Dixon at Rockford, 111., Feb.
26, 1850. She was bom at Geneva, N. T., and was a daughter of
George and Eleanor (Stevenson) D.xon. She is a member of the
Congregational church. They had a family of three children,
none of whom are living. Mr. Eastman is one of the old settlers,
and one of the enterprising representative men of Charles City,
where he has been identified since 1856. He has always taken an
active interest in anything that promised progression to this city.
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736 msTOBT OF flotd county.
Though not a member of any charch, has always been a liberal
supporter, not only of one but all churches. In politics he was
first a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party
has been one of its strongest supporters.
Hev. George ElUotty pastor of the M. E. church of Charles
City, is a native of Ohio, born in Tucking County, near
Pataskala, Lima Township, Dec. 14, 1851, a son of Alexander C.
and Margaret (Hauawalt) Elliott. His father was a farmer in early
lite, and afterward a minister of the M. E. church; she was also
a member of this church. They had a family of three sons and
five daughters, George, subject of this memoir, being the eldest.
When five years of age he removed, with his parents, to Green
County, Wis., and soon after his father entered the ministry, and
traveled in the Wisconsin Conference until George was fifteen, when
he was transferred to the Upper Iowa Conference and located in Ma-
quoketa. In 1868 George entered Cornell College, at Mount Ver-
mon, la., a Methodist institution, graduating in 1872. Qe went to
Sabula, la., and edited a newspaper for one year, the Sabula
Index^ and thence to Humboldt and edited the Humboldt Rob-
mo8 one year. He entered the Upper Iowa Annual Confer-
ence of the M. E. church at Charles City, in October, 1874, an
was appointed pastor of a church at Parkersburg, where he re-
mained one year, and was stationed at Lansing two years, Mitchell
one year, Cresco throe years, and appointed minister of the First
M. E. Church of Charles City, in the fall of 1881. Mr. Elliott mar-
ried Miss A. M. Corfield, at Clinton, la., Nov. 12, 1875. She was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a danghterof William and Mary
(Kemplon) Corfield. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have three children —
George, bom Dec. 18, 1876; Phillip, Sept. 7, 1878; Mary, Nov.
1, 1880. Mrs. Elliott is also a member of the M. E. church. He
is of Scotch, Irish and Dutch descent. He was one of the
active workers in the late temperance contest, in favor of the
amendment prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxicating
liquor. His great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary war.
CJuirlea Engelhart^ business manager for his father, F. Engel-
hart, grocer, Charles City, was born near Gotha, Prussia, Germany,
Nov. 7, 1846. His parents, Frederick and Mary (Otto) Engel-
hart, were natives of Prussia, and members of the Lutheran church.
They had a family of four children, three sons and one daughter;
Charles, subject of this sketch was the eldest. He came with his
parents to America when seven years of age, landed in New York
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CHARLES OTTY. 737
City, after being eleven weeks at sea in a sailing vessel; the family
settled on a fSEurm twenty-four miles southwest of Chicago. Charles
remained on the farm until twenty-two, when he married Johanna
Grosskopf in New Bremen, 111. They lived with his father one
year, and he then ran a store of his own in New Bremen, one year,
when he bought a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until
1872, when he came to Charles City, la. He farmed in St Charles
Township three years, since which time he has been engaged in
the grocery business in Charles City with his father. He and wife
are members of the German M. E. church, and have had two sons
and one daughter, viz. : Louisa, Frederick and Ernest. Mr.
Engelhart is one of the enterprising representative business men of
Charles City, where he has been identified since 1874. In politics
he is a Republican. He enlisted in Company G, Thirty-ninth
Illinois Yolunteers, in the late Rebellion, and remained in the ser-
vice until the close of the war. He was wounded twice: first at the
siege of Tioksburg in front of the skirmish line in June, 1864,
being shot in the hand and losing the fore finger of the right hand;
and was wounded in the left thigh at Fort Craig in front of Peters-
burg, April 2, 1865, and he remained at Fort Monroe, Ya., six
months ; was in all the battles of 1864 and 1865. At the close
of the war he returned home to Illinois. His parents are living in
New Bremen, Cook County, 111.
£. O. Egloff^ agent for the Illinois Central Railroad, is a native
of Germany, born near Frankfort, on the Main River, June 17,
1851. His parents were William J. and Mary (Brandel) Egloff.
The former was born in the eastern part of France, in the province
of Alsace, April 9, 1804. At the age of five, he commenced study
in a French school, where he continued until the age of thirteen.
He then attended the University of Passau, in Bavaria, where he
remained eight years, graduating as a classic student. He next
took up the study of law, which he followed for three years, grad-
uating with honors, afterward practicing his profession with
success. He was appointed District Judge in 1850, which posi-
tion he held until 1855, when he resigned to come to America.
He came to Iowa, and settled in Delaware County, and farmed
until 1859. He then opened a hotel aud restaurant at Manchester,
and in 1861 removed to Cedar Falls, la., and continued in the same
business there for five years. In 1865 removed to Waterloo, la.,
and in the spring of 1868 came to Charles City and retired from
active business. He removed to Mason City in 1871, and died
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738 HI8T0BY OF FLOTD OOUNTY.
there, April 22, 1881. His wife is still living at Mason City. She
and husband had a family of ten children, eight living. E. C,
subject of this sketch, is the second son; he was bat three years
of age when he came with his parents to America, and eighteen
years of age when he came to Charles City ; he attended school
here and assisted his brother, M. Gt. Egloff, who was the fyrst
station agent for the Illinois Central Bailroad, at Charles City.
E. C. remained here, studying telegraphy and station work until
1876, when he was given charge of Aplington Station; remained
here some two years and three months, when his brother, M. G.
Eglofi, was appointed train dispatcher at Fort Dodge, la., and
E. C. was appointed his brother's former position as station agent
here at Charles City, which ofSce he still retains. Mr. E. 0.
Eglofi married Miss Rusha Cilley, at Mason City, la., Nov. 8,
1880. She was born in Illinois, and was a daughter of Nathaniel
P. and Louisa (Miller) Cilley. Mrs. E. C. Egloff is a member of
the First Methodist Church, of Charles City. Mr. Egloff is a
member of the V. A. S. fraternity, Charles City Lodge. In pol-
itics he is a Bepublican, and is one of the enterprising, represent-
ative citizens and business men of Charles City, where he has
been identified since 1868.
^S'. JP'. I^arTihamy Cashier of the Charles City National Bank, was
bom in Palmyra, Somerset County, Me., May 28, 1846, a son of
Samnel and Eliza C. Famham, nee Kobinson, natives of Massar
chusetts, S. F. being the eldest of a family of four sons and three
daughters born of this union. He received his primary education
in Palmyra, and at the age of sixteen he entered the preparatory
school at Bucksport, Me., which he attended two years, and was
then matriculated in the Maine Wesleyan Collie at Kenfs Hill,
graduating from that institution June 7, 1870. He received the
appointment of principal of the Old Town High School, which he
accepted and retained five years, and in 1875 he came to Charles
City. He was principal of the High School here one year, and
upon the organization of the Charles City National Bank, he was
. elected its cashier, a position he has since held. On Aug. 27,
1871, he was married to Miss Phebe F. Johnson, of Dixmont,
Me. She was a daughter of H. C. Johnson and Susan B., nee
Edgerly. Two children were born of this union — Le Roy S.,
bom June 6, 1872, died May 30, 1874; and Ralph H., born I^c.
5, 1881. Mrs. Famham died Dec. 21, 1881. She was a member
of Eastern Star Chapter, Masonic fraternity of Iowa, of which she
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CHABLB8 CITY. 739
was Orand Associate Matron. Mr. Famham is a member of
Lodge No. 172, A. F. & A. M., and Easter Chapter, A. O. U. W.,
Charles City Lodge. He was elected City Treasurer in April,
1878, and held the office one year, and was also elected Treas-
urer of the Water-Power Company, of this city, in 1878. He
still retains the office, and is also one of the proprietors and direc-
tors of that company. Politically, he affiliates with the Repub-
lican party, and is one of the prominent business men of Charles
City.
John Fergvsoji^ of the firm of WooUey, Snyder, Ferguson &
Bailey, proprietors of the Charles City Plow Company, is a native
of Scotland, born in the city of Glasgow Jan. 18, 1834, a son of
Duncan and Agnes M. Ferguson, nee Hope. His &ther was
bom in Criefi, Scotland, and reared and educated in Glasgow. His
mother was bom in the north of Ireland. They had a family of
seven children of whom John was the second son. The family
emigrated to America in 1837, and located in Erie, Pa., thence two
years afterward to Rockford, 111. John attended school, engaged
in clerking and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade there, and
in September, 1855, he came to Charles Cit}', where he embarked
in the mercantile business. In 1857 he disposed of his stock to
Wright & McKnabb and followed farming until 1874, when he
again engaged in the mercantile trade, which he prosecuted until
Jan. 1, 18&2, when he sold out to his partner, S. H. Starr, and
purchased an interest in the Charles City Plow Company, a prom-
inent manufacturino^ interest. He was married in Cliarles City,
to Mary E. Strawn, of Rockford, 111., on March 10, 1866. They
have had three children, Ida E., born Aup:. 7, 1858, died while yet
in the full bloom of yonth on July 15, 1874; J. A., bom Aug. 80,
1861, is agent for the New York Life Insurance Company of this
city, and Marie M., born Aug. 20, 1867. The subject of this
memoir is a member of St. Charles Lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A.
M., and a member of the Chapter. He has served acceptably in
many of the city offices and was a member of the City Council
four years. Politically he favors the Republican party. He is
one of the pioneer and enterprising citizens of Charles City,
where he has been identified since 1865.
E, J. H%het^ of the firm of Stevens, Hering ife Co., wholesale and
retail dealers in and manufactureis of famitnre, Charles City, is a
native of New Hampshire, born in Franklin, Merrimack County,
• Oct. 9, 1887. His parents, Ellis Fisher, who was a farmer, and
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740 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Hannah, nee Noice, were natives of the Green Mountain State,
and had a family of nine children, of whom the subject of this
memoir was the youngest son. He was educated in his native
State, and at the age of fifteen went to Lowell, Mass., to learn the
machinist's trade. He followed that occupation four years, then
went to Manchester, N. H., and remained there three years, learn-
ing the furniture trade. From there he went to Boston, Mass., and
worked at the cabinet-maker's trade, until his marriage to Abbie
Haywood in December, 1861. She was bom in Alexander, W. H.,
a daughter of Walter Haywood. Of five children born of this
union three are living — Harry W., bom Nov. 21, 1863, is working
with his father in the factory; Frank, born Jan. 6, 1869, and Fred,
bora Aug. 6, 1873. After his marriage Mr. Fisher removed to
Two Rivers, Wis., thence to Appleton, that State, where he worked
in a furniture factory one year, then established a factory of his
own at Leeman, Wis., four years later he took charge of the furni-
ture manufacturing department, at the House of Correction at Mil-
waukee, Wis. In 1869 he became a resident of Charles City and a
partner, in his present business. He is a prominent member of the
1. O. O. F. fraternity. National Lodge, No. 165. Politically he'
favors the Democratic party.
William JV. Fisher^ Constable, sexton of cemetery, and farmer,
was bora in Washington County, Vt, June 13, 1829, a son of
Silas W. and Emily (Peck) Fisher; father a native of New Hamp-
shire, and mother of Vermont. Of a family of three children the
subject of this sketch was the eldest, and is the only one living.
He was brought up on a farm, and when within two months of age
he left home and worked out two or three years, and in 1854 came
West, to Rockford, 111. In the spring of 1857 he went to Minne-
sota with three yoke of cattle to break prairie; bat hard times
came on and he lost nearly all. He then located in Charles City
and started a meat market, which business he prosecuted extensively.
Some seasons he would kill as many as fifty or sixty hogs at a
time, which were hauled to market at McGregor. But in the fol-
lowing spring he abandoned the market, and did odd jobs until
1860, when he started for Pike's Peak; at Denver, however, he
learned such facts as discouraged him from going further, and he re-
turned, footing all the way from Omaha to Charles City, In the
autumn of 1864 he was drafted and attached to Company G,
Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry; in the army, during the winter,
he contracted rheunuttism, and was sent to the hospital, where he ,
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0HABLB8 am. 741
Temained until Jnlj. After the close of the w^ar he returned home
to Charles City. Except what time he was in the war, he has
been Constable ever since 1858. The first time he was elected he
had failed of a nomination in caaoas by a vote or two, and he ran
independently, and yet was elected almost unanimoasly. In 1862
he was appointed Constable, the elected man not qualifying. He ran
dndependently again in 1868, and was again elected. Mr. Fisher
has done much for the interests of his community. In the way of
fencebuilding he has done more than any other man in the county,
and probably excels all in the neatness of his work. He has, by
his business talent, accumulated considerable property and money,
and is now independent and happy. Oct. 8, 1867, in Rockford,
this county, he married Miss Mary Rudd, of Bockford, III.,
-daughter of Joe M. and Miranda (Palmer) Rudd, her parents hav-
ing been early settlers of Buffalo, N. T. She is a member of the
Ohristian church. Of their two children, Victoria E. is living, and
' Chester S. is deceased.
iMther P. Fitohy one of the prominent physicians of Floyd
.'County, was born in Groton, Middlesex County, Mass., March 26,
1836, a son of John and Lucy L. Fitch, nee Sawtell, natives also of
Massachusetts. They had a family of five children, three living —
Luther P., W, H., a practicing physician of Rockford, 111., and A.
Lizzie, at present traveling in Europe. When the subject of this
memoir was about three years of age, his parents removed to
Winnebago County, III, and settled on a farm. There his boyhood
was passed and primary education received. He attended school
at Rockford, 111., two years; at Groton, Mass., eighteen months,
and at Beloit, Wis., five years; four years was spent in the Beloit
College, from which he graduated in 1860. He spent nine months
in the medical department of Michigan State University,
then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York
•City, graduating with honors in 1863. Upon leaving] school he
was appointed Surgeon of the Forty-seventh U. S. C. Infantry, and
remained with this regiment until January, 1866, when they were
mustered out of service. He then formed a partnership with Dr.
'C, J. Taggert, at Beloit, Wis., which continued six months when
Dr. Fitch went to New York City for the purpose of attending
lectures and receiving instruction in special branches of medicine.
Eight months later he located in practice in Rockford, III., remain-
ing there until October, 1868, when he came to Charles City. He
iias met with deserved success as a practitioner, and is well and
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742 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
favorably known throaghoat the connty as a skillful and reliable
physician. On Oct. 13, 1869, he married Martha Baker, of Berlin,
Wis. Two children have blessed their union, viz.: Charles L.r
born March 29, 1878, and Lucy, Jan. 20, 1875. Dr. Fitch is a
member of the American Medical Association, of the Iowa State
Medical Society, and is Secretary of the Upper Cedar Valley Medi*
oal Association. He was elected Director of the Independent Dis-
trict of Charles City School Board, in March, 1878, and still retain
the office. Politically he favors the Republican party.
WUUam CHermanUy proprietor of the German meat market,
Charles City, was born in Prenzlao, Prussia, Germany, July 19,
1845. His parents were Christian and Caroline (Haman) Giermann.
They had a family of five sons and four daughters. "William, sub-
ject of this memoir, was the youngest, and the only one in America.
He attended school in Germany until fifteen, when he learned the
butcher's trade four years ; then served three years as soldier in
the cavalry of the German army, and in 1870 came to America.
He brought his girl with him, and they landed in New York and
were married at New Bremen, Cook County, III., June 7, 1870.
She was bom in Germany, and was a daughter of Gottlieb and
Caroline (Schultz) Frabel. Mrs. Giermann's maiden name was
Emelia Frabel. In December, 1870, Mr. Giermann located in
Charles City, and worked by the day at different work till 1864,
when he began to work at the butcher's trade, and in March, 1878,
established his present market. Mr. and Mrs. Giermann are
members of the German M. E. church, and have five children^
viz.: Miss Ida, born July 24, 1882; John, born May 25, 1874;
Miss Emma, born April 14, 1876; Miss Emelia, Feb. 13, 1879, and
Lydia, born Oct. 14, 1881. Mr. Giermann is a member of the
A. O. U. W., Charles City Lodge, No. 158. In politics, a Repub-
lican. He is one of the enterprising business men of Charles City,
where he has been identified since December, 1870. He built his
present market-house in 1877, and it is the leading market in the
city, and Mr. Giermann tries to please all his customers, and to
that end buys the best the market affords. He also carries a fine-
stock of dried and smoked meats.
Geo. Gilbsrty station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St
Paul Eailway, is a native of New York, and was bom in Castile,
Wyoming County, July 23, 1842; his parents were Seymour and
Permelia (Mabie) Gilbert, natives of New York, and members of
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0HARLE8 OITT. 748
the Baptist church. He in early life was a hardware merchant and
in after years engaged in farming. He moved from Wyoming
County, N.T., to Rockford, Winnebago County, 111., in 1846, where
he died. He and wife had two sons and one daughter. Geo. E.,
subject of this sketch, was the second son ; he lived in Winnebago
County, m., on his father's jTarm, attending school until twelve
when he began to run on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway,
as newsb(»y. Subsequently rose to the position of brakeman, then
baggageman. In February, 1874, he enlisted in the One Hundred
and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry Volunteers and remained in the
service until the close of the war, when he returned to Rockford, 111.,
and opened a grocery store. Eighteen months later he sold out and
engaged in railroading on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway until
September, 1869, when he came to Charles City, and began to work
as freight agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway,
and was warehouseman operator and clerked for E. J. Gilbert,
three years, when he was appointed agent at Garner, Hancock
County, and remained two years; then took charge of the station at
Algona one year, and was appointed agent at Charles City, where
he has since remained. Mr. Gilbert married Miss Ada J. Halsted,
at Rockford, 111., Oct. 22, 1866; she was born in New York, and
was a daughter of Egbert and Ester (Kingsley) Halsted. Mrs.
Gilbert is a member of the Congregational church. They have had
three children, viz. : George H., Archer and Mabel I. Gilbert. Mr.
Gilbert is one of the enterprising representative men of Charles
City, where he has been identified since 1869. In politics he is a
Republican.
Samuel G, Goddard^ contractor and builder, and agent for
the Domestic and Victor sewing machines, is a native of Michigan,
and was bom in Calhoun County, Oct. 26, 1829, he being the
first white child born in this county. His father, Josiah Goddard,
was bom in Massachusetts, and when twenty-one years of age en-
listed as Sergeant Major in the war of 1812, and participated in the
battle of Plattsburg. Alter the close of the war he went to De-
troit, Mich., where he married Miss Hannah Luckett; soon after
his marriage he removed to Calhoun County, Mich., and was one
of the first settlers of this county. He and his wife had a family
of sixteen children, eleven sons and five daughters. Samuel C,
subject of this sketch was the third son, he worked on his father's
form, attending school winters until fifteen, when he removed to
Rockford, Winnebago County, 111., and one year later to Green
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744 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
County, Wis. They remained there and engaged in farming untir
October, 1848, when they came to Fort Atkinson, "Winneshiek
County, la. In 1851 Samuel C. started out with fifty cents in
his pocket to make his fortune, and located in Bradford, Chicka-
saw County, la. He worked at the carpenter's trade and clerked
in a store about a year, when he was .elected County Clerk, he be-
ing the first to hold that office in the county. In March, 1854,
Mr. Goddard came to Charles City, Floyd County, la., and bought
the general merchandise stock of Robert L. Freeman, the first
store keeper in Charles City. Mr. Goddard built the first frame
house iu Charles City, the town was then called Freeman, and Mr.
Freeman was the first Postmaster and Mr. Goddard the second.
Mr. Goddard sold his store to John and William Ferguson in the
spring of 1856, then built the Magnolia Hotel, which he conducted
two years, when it burned down in the fire of Charles City;
he then clerked in Lehmkuhl's store ten years, since then he has
worked at his trade, as carpenter and contractor, and engaged in
the sale of sewing machines. Mr. Goddard married Miss Amanda
Bigelow, at Waverly, Bremer County, la., July 16, 1857. She
was bom in Wyoming County, N. Y., and was a daughter of
Julius and Philena (Dayton) Bigelow, natives of Connecticut;
he was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard had five children, viz.:
Cora, born April 26, 1858, wife of Harry A. Merrill (he is Cashier
in the Rockford Bank, at Rockford, la.); Angle, born July 29,
1851; May, Sept. 21, 1863; Gladys, Feb. 22, 1865, and Guy A,
March 8, 1867, who reside with their parents. Mr. Goddard is a
member of the I. O. O. F. lodge. In politics he is a Republican.
He is one of the oldest settlers, and is an enterprising representa-
tive citizen of Charles City, where he has been identified since
March, 1854.
E. J. Ghiilhert^ ex-County Treasurer of Floyd County, was
bom in Rockford, Winnebago County, 111., June 18, 1848, a son
of Milo and Margaret (Palmer) Guilbert; he a native of Vermont,
and she of Ohio. They had a family of six sons and four daugh-
ters. E. J., subject of this sketch, being the eldest, was but six
years of age when he came with his parents to Charles City, la.,
where his father, with Dr. N. H. Palmer, purchased of Joseph
Kelly half the town. He built the first frame house here. £. J.
attended school and worked on a farm until eighteen, when he was
employed as bookkeeper, at Prairie du Ohien, Wis., for the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway; worked there two years,
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OHABLES omr. 745"
when he was appointed the first station agent for the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St Panl Railway, at Charles City, and retained the
position four years. He was then elected Deputy County Treasurer
for two years, and was subsequently elected County Treasurer,
and held that oflBce four years, when he purchased a farm of 160
acres, in St. Charles Township, where he has since been engaged
in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Guilbert married Miss Estella
Merrill, at Charles City, May 4, 1870. She was born in Harmony,
Me., and was a daughter of J. N. Merrill, an attorney at Rock-
ford, la., and Sarah E. (Parsons) Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Guilbert
have three children, viz.: RoyM., born July 27, 1871; Lulie, Aug.
6, 1873; and Margaret, Dec. 8, 1876. Mr. Guilbert is a member
of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and is one of the charter members of
Hope Lodge, No. 76, and was president for one year. He was elec-
ted City Clerk of Charles City, for one year, and has held various
local offices of trust. In politics, a Republican, and cast his first
vote for Grant for President the second term. Mr. Guilbert is one of
the pioneer children of Floyd County, and one of the enterpris-
ing, representative men of Floyd County, where he has been iden-
tified since fall, 1853. He is of Scotch and Irish descent.
WiUiam Hanaberg^ of the firm of Hausberg & Holbrook, is
the oldest merchant in Floyd County, having been identified with
the mercantile interests here since 1856. A native of Eckernfoerde,
Schleswig, Germany. He was born July 2, 1883, son of John and
Anna (Q^rber) Hansberg, who were the parents of three children,
of whom William was the eldest His father died when he was
four years of age, and he attended school in Gtermany until
fifteen, then served a five years' apprenticeship at a trade in the
town of Bredstadt, Gtermany. In July, 1855, he came alone to
the United States; landed at New York after a forty -five days^
journey at sea. From New York he went to Lyons, Clinton
County,. la., where he clerked in a store and warehouse for the old
firm of Burrows, Pretty man & Pearsall, and at CDmrnianche until
1855, when Mr. Pearsall died and he went to Waverly, Bremer
County, la., and clerked in a store for Hazlett & Co. until April,
1856, when he came to Charles City with Rumpf, Lehmkuhl &
Co., who built a dry goods store here, which they opened in June,
1856, employing Mr. Hansberg as clerk. In 1859 Mr. Rumpf
withdrew from the firm, and in 1862 Mr. Hansberg was taken into
partnership. They established a branch store at Floyd, of which
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746 HIBTOBT OF FLOTD OOTSKTY.
he was manager. In 1868 they closed the store at Floyd, and the
business was conducted at Charles City, nnder the firm name of
Lehmkuhl & Hansberg until the spring of 1876, when Mr. Hans-
berg purchased his partner's interest, and conducted the business
until March 1, 1^79, and then formed his present partnership with
Mr. W. E. Holbrook. They are the recipients of a firmly estab-
lished trade, and are known throughout the county as men of
irreproachable business integrity. Mr. Hansberg was married
Aug. 30, 1863, to Theresa Merckel, who was born in Andernach,
on the River Rhine, Germany, a daughter of Carl and Anna M.
Merckel, nee Just. Four children blessed this union, viz. : Mary,
born May 31, 1864; Charles in November, 1866; Emil, born Aug.
18, 1868, died Sept. 21, 1869; Ernst, born Aug. 27, 1878. Mr.
Hansberg was elected County Supervisor in the fall of 1880, and
still holds the office. He was the first Alderman and Treasurer
elected in Charles City, and has held numerous other township
offices. Politically he is independeat, and he and wife are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church.
A. M. Harrison^ a prominent lawyer of Charles City, and a
member of the firm of Starr & Harrison, has been actively connected
with the legal profession of Charles City since May, 1870. A son
of Charles Harrison of New Jersey, and Catherine, nee DeWitt, of
Ulster County, N. T.; he was born on his father's farm in what is
now the city of Pit Hole, Pa., on Nov. 5, 1847. His parents were
members of the Old School Presbyterian church, in which his
father was a Deacon many years. He attended schoofl and assisted
on the farm until 1862, when he, with his father and brother, be-
gan operating in oil. He worked with them and attended the
academy at Pleasantville, Pa., until 1865, when he removed, with
his father, to Fredonia, N. Y. He entered the academy at that
place, and graduated there in 1868. In the fall of that year he was
matriculated in the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in
1870, and was admitted to the Michigan Supremo Court bar in .
April of that year. He came at once to Charles City, where he
established an office, and soon after was employed in the law office
of Starr & Patterson, and in 1873 was taken into partnership.
They continued to practice under the firm name of Starr, Patter-
son & Harrison until the death of Mr. Patterson, which occurred
Oct. 29, 1878. Since then the firm has remained Starr & Harrison.
On Aug. 13, 1878, at Silver Creek, N. Y., occurred the marriage
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^. c>^, ^^
Z-iS^e-i^^-
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OHABLES onr. 749
of A. M. Harrison and Lizzie Ohapin, daughter of Oharles and
Calista A. (Gage) Ohapin. She was born in that city on Feb. 4,
1852. Two sons have blessed this union, viz.: Gage M., born March
21, 1875, and Merton E., Oct. 18, 1876. Mr. Harrison is a mem-
ber of St. Charles Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 141. He was, too,
elected City Attorney ot Oharles Oity three terms, and served as
Justice of the Peace from 1871 to 1881.
Sanford Harwood, dealer in boots and shoes, and manufacturer
of harness, Oharles Oity, is a native of New York, and was born
at Hadley, Saratoga Oounty, July 31, 1818. His parents were Jesse
and Sarah (Scofield) Harwood. He was a native of Vermont, and
farmer; she was a native of Massachusetts, and they had a family ot
four sons and four daughters. Sanford was the second son. When
he was six years of age his father died. He then remained on the
farm with his mother until seventeen, when he went to Ohautanqua
County, N. T., and worked at the harness trade in Maysville two
years; then went to Essex County and worked at Crown Point two
years, then came to La Salle County, 111., and located in the town
of Lowell and farmed until spring of 1852, when he came to Inde-
pendence, Buchanan Oounty, la, where he purchased a farm, and
farmed eighteen months; then, in fail of 1854, came to Charles
City and engaged in farming until 1863, when he established his
present business. Mr. Harwood married Miss Keziah Dryer,
Aug. 31, 1843, at Lowell, La Salle County, 111. She was born in
Seneca County, N. T., and was a daughter of Chester Dryer and
Susan (Hobro) Dryer. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of
Baptist church, and have had a family of eight children, four sons
and one daughter living, viz.: James C, printer and editor of
Wright County Monitor^ at Clarion, "Wright Oounty, la. ; Miss
Susie M. Harwood; BurtE., photographer of Charles Oity; Will-
iam S., of editorial staff of Dubuque Herald; and Frank E.,
engaged in business with his father. Mr. Harwood has been a mem-
ber of the City Council, member School Board, and Township Trustee
a number of years, and member of Oounty Supervisors in 1860 —
held this office two years. In politics, he is a Republican, and has
always been a supporter of that party. He is one of the old set-
tlers and enterprising representative men of Oharles City, where he
has been identified since fall of 1854.
46
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750 HISTOBY OF FLOYD OOtnTTY.
Hwrwood cfe Mooney^ photographers, Charles Oity, la., is one
of the city's enterprising young firms. Though both are young
men, they do some of the finest work in their line in the State.
The senior member of the firm, Burritt Harwood, is a native ot
Charles City, and was born Nov. 26, 1855. He received his early
education here, attending the Charles City HighS chool, and after-
ward the Academy of Design, Chicago.
John Arthur Mooney, was bom in Rockford, 111., Oct. 10, 1857,
and came with his parents to Charles City in 1873. He learned
the art of photography with J. E. Rich, with whom he remained
seven years. He then went to Independence, la., and engaged in
the photographic business a short time, but subsequently returned
to this city and formed the present partnership, under the firm
name of Harwood & Mooney.
Willam (7. Hering^ of the firm of Stevens & Hering, furniture
manufacturers, Charles City, is a native of Mecklenburgh- Sch weria,
Germany, bom Oct. 12, 1838, the only son of Wil iam and
Sophia (Oden) Hering, likewise of German birth. They were
members of the Lutheran church. William 0. attended school in
Germany until his fourteenth year, whan he immigrated with his
parents to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, O. Two
years later they removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where W. C. learned
and followed the chair-maker's trade until 1869, when he came to
Charles City, and in company with E. J. Fisher and W. E. Elkins
established a fumiture factory at this place. In 1870 Mr. JPark-
hurst became a partner, and July, 1871, he sold his interest to Mr.
Stevens, one of the present proprietors. In October, 1874, the com-
pany bought out Mr. Elkins, and the firm has since remained
Stevens, Hering. & Co. The subject of this memoir was married
Feb. 8, 1866, to Dora Stelling of Washington, Wis. Seven chil-
dren have blessed their married life, of whom six are living — ^Hattie
M., Jennie, Carrie, Lulu, Irwin and Ida. Arthur died in infancy.
Mr. Herin«f is. a prominent member of National Lodge, No. 165,
I. O. O. F., and in politics is a strong supporter of the Republican
party.
S. jB. Hewitty M. jD., has been prominently identified with the
medical profession of Floyd County, since 1869, a son of Samuel
B. and Elmina Hewitt, nee Tncker. He was born in Middiebury,
Wyoming County, N. Y., July 22, 1839. S. R. was the eldest of
a family of four children, and when he was six years old his parents
moved to Sharon, Wis., and two years later to Fond du Lac. His
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0HASLB8 OTTT. 751
father settled upon a farm near by, and S. R. assisted on the farm
and attended school during the winter months, until twenty years
of age, when he entered the Baraboo, Wis., Institute. He spent
one term in that institute, then taught school and studied medi-
cine until his twenty-fourth year, when he went to Brandon, Wis.,
and continued the study of medicine under Dr. B. F. Dodson, three
years'. He then became a student in Kush Medical College, at
Chicago, Irom which he graduated in 1867. He at once located at
Berlin, Wis., in the practice of his profession, and shortly after-
ward went to Waupun, Wis., where he practiced two years, then
removed to Nora Springs, Floyd County, la. In June, 1881, he
came to Charles City, where he has since remained. He was mar-
ried at Alto, Wis., on Oct. 30, 1867, to Alice E. Talcott, who was
born at Kenosha, Wis., and was a daughter of Gilbert and Mary
(Larabee) Talcott, natives of New York. Their union has been
blessed with one child, a daughter, Alice B., born April 25, 1871,
Dr. Hewitt is a Mason and a prominent member of St Char lea
Lodge, No. 141. In politics he is a Bepublican. During the time
he was at Rush Medical College, Dr. Hewitt was the assistant of
Prof. E. L. Holmes, of the Eye and Ear Infirmary of Chicago, two
years. He makes a specialty of surgery, and has successfully,
operated on many dii&cult and complicated cases. He was surgeon
for the B., C. R. & N. B B. six years, and during the war was
selected from the medical college as assistant surgeon of the
Marine Hospital, where he remained three years and gained a
thorough knowledge of this department of his profession.
WUliam E. Holbrooke junior member of the firm of Hansberg
& Holbrook, was bom in Masonville, Canada East, Dec. 11, 1841.
His parents were Abram and Azubah Holbrook, nee Perkinrf, the
former a native of Vermont, the latter of Canada. They had a
family of seven children ; five lived to maturity. In 1852 the fam-
ily moved to Freeport, 111., where they remained until 1856, then
came to Floyd County, la., settling on a farm of 400 acres in
Floyd Township, which the eldest son had entered in 1854. Will-
iam E. assisted on this farm and attended, school until nineteen
years old, when he taught school here two terms, then visited the
home of his boyhood and Vermont with his mother and sister,
where he taught school and worked on a farm until the spring of
1864, when he returned to Floyd. In June of that year he com-
menced clerking for Lehmkuhl & Hansberg, and came with them
to Charles City in 1868. He was clerk and bookkeeper until
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752 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
1879, when he was taken into partnership. On Feb. 27, 1880, he
married Matilda Kellogg, who was born in Ohio, and was a
daughter of John and Rachael Kellogg, nee Shelly, who settled in
Charles City in 1854. Their union has been blessed with two
children — ^Eugene W., born Dec. 3, 1870, and Cora G., Aug. 30,
1872. Mr. Holbrook is a member of Charles City Lodge, A. F. &
A. M.; also of Almond Chapter. He has taken all the degrees of
the I. O. O. F. Encampment. He was elected City Treasurer in
March, 1882, and still retains the office. He has always been a
strong adherent to the principles of the Kepublican party. His
father died here on Nov. 6, 1859, and his mother is residing with
her son, the subject of this memoir.
S. S. Howard, of the Boss Harrow Company, is one of the lead-
ing business men of Charles City, and was born at Saline, Mich.,
Aug. 4, 1842; he was a son of Rufus, whose ancestors were Eng-
lish. Rufus was born at Utica, N, Y., Dec. 22, 1817. He was a
physician. He moved from New York State to Michigan, where
he married Ann Cook, Nov. 27, 1839. In the fall of 1846 he
moved to Cottage Grove, "Wis. He died June 4, 1857, after an ill-
ness of seven days. He had an extensive practice as a physician, and
was worn out by his zealous labors. His wife, Mrs. Ann Howard,
died at the residence of her son, H. S. Howard, at Floyd, la.,
Thanksgiving Day, November, 1876. She and husband had a
family of three sons and three daughters — H. S., "W. P. and
Murtie, who resides with her brother, H. S. Howard, subject of
this sketch; he was the eldest. He enlisted, Aug. 29, 1861, in the
Third Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery, for three years, and was
discharged in October, 1864. He served under Generals Buel,
Bosecrans and Grant at the battle of Chickamauga, and was taken
prisoner with ten other members of the battery, along with the
guns, and taken to Richmond, thence to Libby Prison; and Nov.
28, 1863, they were moved to Danville, Va., and Nov. 29, 1863,
took leg bail for Uncle Sam's land, and after a tramp of thirty
days and nights through the rebel country and over the Blue
Ridge and Alleghany mountains, he reached the Union lines at
Camp Fayette, W. Va. After a week's rest in camp he visited his
home, and returned to his command at Chattanooga, and after his dis-
charge he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and attended the East-
man's Business College, from which he graduated. He then visited
some friends in New Jersey, then took a position here as book-
keeper in the store of J. L . Finding confinement in the
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0HASLE8 CITY. 753
Btore imperious to bis health, he decided to return to his home in
the West. In 1868 began to sell farm machinery, which bnsiness
has been followed with very little intermission, until the manufact-
nring of "Boss Harrows" has compelled the cessation of all other
interests. Mr. Howard moved from Janesville, Wis., to Floyd
County, la., October, 1874, and in a few months began to sell
farm machinery at Floyd, and in the spring of 1876 manufactured
a few " Scotch Harrows," for retail trade, and made two harrows of
an entirely new pattern, a harrow patent by John E. Perkins, for-
merly of Verona, Wis. Mr. Howard made about sixty of these, and
called them the "Boss Harrow," because all who used them called
them the "Boss." These were made in 1876. A further account
of this enterprise, under the firm of the "Boss Harrow Company,"
has been given on a preceding page.
John Howard^ retired farmer and grain dealer, was born in
Lawrence County, Ind., May 31, 1820, a son of Elbert and Phebe
(McNeal) Howard, the former a native of Georgia, the latter ot
Kentucky. They were members of the Methodist church, and
the parents of seven children. In 1834 the family moved to
Illinois and settled in Kane County. In 1840 the subject of this
memoir left home to make his own way in the world. He went
to Waukegan, Lake County, III., and was there married, Jan. 16,
1848, to Harriet M. Gould, who was born in Utica, N. T., March
8, 1819, a daughter of Louis and Nancy Gould, nee Uickox. Her
father was a native of Massachusetts, her mother of New York.
They were Methodists in their religious views, and were members
of that church over fifty years. After his marriage Mr. Howard
followed his trade, that of a furniture manufacturer, in Waukegan,
until April, 1854, when he came to Charles City and opened the
first cabinet-maker's shop in the county. The machinery in his
shop was run by horse-power, and he made the first chair and
brought the first lathe into the county. He continued in this busi-
ness five years, then purchased a farm in St. Charles Township,
which he cultivated until July, 1864, when he sold it and returned
to Charles City. He engaged in grain and other business here un-
til 1872, and since then lias lived a retired life, having accumu-
lated an ample competency for the support of his declining ytars.
Mr. Howard and wife, Newman Dutcher and wife, and Mrs. John
Kellogg organized the first church in Charles City, and their first
meeting was held in an unfinished log barn, tlie sermon being
preached by Rev. John Ball. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have been
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754 msTOBY OP floyd oouktt.
faithfnl and active workers in the church since that time, and he
has served as Trustee and Steward many years. They have had
two sons, both now deceased, viz. : Louis Gould, bom April 30,
1849, died Aug. 20, 1851, and John Gould, bom Sept 19, 1853,
died May 14, 1853. Mr Howard can tmly be classed with the
pioneers and representative men of Floyd County, and his works
for the good of the city will live after him, "I3y their works ye
shall know them."
Charles Kelly ^ for whom the town of Charles City was named, is
a son of Joseph Eelly, a native of Ohio, and Malinda, nee Rader,
of Virginia. Joseph Kelly came to Floyd County in 1856, and
laid out the town of Charles City, naming it for his son, and built
the first saw-mill in the county. They had a family of ten chil-
dren, six living — Charles; Melvina, wife of Christopher Martin, of
Monroe, Wis.; Jane, wife of F. O. McCallister, a resident of
Charles City; Harriet, widow of Chas. H. Haskell, is residing with
her mother and conducts a milliner shop in Charles City; Mary, wife
of D. W. Carver, editor of the Dubuque Herald^ and Joseph, Jr.,
a musician and band leader in Buena Yista, Cal. The subject of this
memoir was born in Monroe, Green County, Wis., Feb. 38, 1838, and
was there reared and educated. In 1855, at the age of seventeen, he
came to Charles City to join his father, and helped haul the machin-
ery for his father's mill from Galena, 111. He worked in the mill until
his marriage to Ida Wrisley, which occurred Oct. 19, 1870. She
was bom in Rutland, Vt. In 1874 Mr. Kelly went to Oakland, Cal.,
where he was employed in the marble works until December, 1881,
when he returned to Charles City, where he has since resided-
Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have one child, a son, William F., born Nov.
19, 1873. Mrs. Kelly is a member of the Congregational church.
He is politically a Democrat, and is known as one of the old set-
tlers and representative citizens of Charles City.
John Kuck^ dealer in leather findings, saddles, hardware, buf-
falo robes, horse blankets, etc., Charles City, la., is a native of
Germany, and was born near the city of Bremen, Prussia, Dec. 5,
1836. His parents were Henry and Anna (Gerken) Kuck, also
natives of Germany. They had a family of eight children, seven
sons and one daughter. John, subject of this sketch, was the
third son, and is the oldest now living. He attended school in
Germany and farmed until sixteen, and then came alone to Amer-
ica; landed at Baltimore, Md., after being eight weeks at sea. He
went to Wheeling, Va., and two months after to Marietta, Ohio,
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OHABLBS onr. 755
where he learned the barnees-maker'B trade and resided until
twenty, then went to Le Sure, Minn. He was partner in a store of
general merchandise there one year, then sold oat and went to
Galena, III., and worked at his trade until 1860, when he opened a
harness shop at Lansing, la., and engaged in business here until
1864, when he came to Oharles City, la., and established his pres-
ent business. Mr. Kuck married Mary Meyer at Galena, 111.,
June 1, 1860. She was born in Switzerland. They are members
of the M. £. church, and have had a family of seven children, two
livinar, viz.: Henry L., born Decl, 1862; George W., born Dec.
14, 1 868. Both work with their father in the harness shop. The
mother died May 80, 1879. and Mr. Euck married Lizzie Brandon
April 22, 1880, at Charles City. She was born in Cook County,
111., and was a daughter of Adnm and Elizabeth (Sibbel) Brandon.
They have one daughter— Bertha A. C, born Feb. 10, 1881. Mr.
Euck, in politics, is a Republican. He is one of the oldest har-
ness-makers and business men ot Floyd County and« Charles
City, having been identified with this city since July, 1864. He
was a member of the Council of Charles City one year from Second
Ward. He was one of the first members of the German M. E.
church, which is now the Charles City District, embracing many
counties, and was one of the first to organize the church in this city.
WUliam M. Langataff, blacksmith, Charles City, was bom in
Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa., Oct. 22, 1830, a son of John
and Kachel Langstafi, nee Bush, the former of English birth, the
latter bom in the Eeystone State. They were the parents of
nine children, William being the third son. His father died when
he was eight years old, and he continued to reside on the farm
with his mother until 1839, when the family moved to Brooklyn,
Pa., where he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1852 he went to
Rockford, 111., remaining there working at his trade one year,
then went to Janesville, "Wis., where he was married Jan. 31, 1854,
to Margaret Warn, a native of Jacksonville, N. J., and a daughter
of James M. and Margaret (Burlew) Warn, likewise natives ot
New Jersey, and the parents of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Lang-
staff had afamily of three sons, two living — Will Leslie, bom Dec.
6, 1855, at Janesville, Wis., is a merchant at Belmont, la., and
Henry L., born in Charles City, July 31, 1860, is a printer at
tan ton, Pa.; Clarence, bom Nov. 25, 1858, died Sept. 25, 1869.
After his marriage Mr. Langstaff resided in Janesville until the
spring of 1856, when he came to Charles City, where he established
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756 msTOBY OF floyd county.
a blacksmith shop, and has remained since. He is a member of
the I. O. O. F. fraternity, Charles City Lod^e, No. 165. Politically
he is a Democrat. He is one of the oldest blacksmiths now living
in the county, having opened a shop here in 1856.
Jacob Leonard^ proprietor of the Leonard Hotel, Charles City,
was bom near Bedford, Lawrence County, Ind., Dec. 12, 1819, a
son of Henry and Martha (Raims) Leonard, natives of North
Carolina. They had a family of thirteen children, eleven of
whom lived to maturity. When Jacob was about two years old
his parents removed to Monroe County, Ind., and settled on a farm.
He was reared and educated at that place, and was married there
on Dec. 20, 1843, to Catharine Berkey, who was born in Valonia,
Jackson County, Ind., a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Isem-
inger) Berkey. Of nine children born of this union, eight are liv-
ing— ^William H., editor and proprietor of the Rock County Be-
carder^ at Janesville, Wis.; Margaret A., wife of William Ganges;
Mary E., wife of Charles Leaman; N. Kate, wife of Joseph Flan-
Digan; E. Hattie, who is cashier in a store at Janesville, Wis.;
L. Agnes, who is a printer; Ester E. and Clara A. After his mar-
riage Mr. Leonard farmed in Monroe 0:>uiity, Ind., until 1843,
then taught school two years, and in 1845 went to Doe Prairie,
where he farmed and taught until 1847, when he went to Green
County, Wis., continuing in the same occupations there. In the
spring of 1856, he came to Charles City, moving his family here
the following year. He farmed, teamed and engaged in draying
until 1875, then opened a grocery store, which he sold a short time
afterward, and bought the Cleveland House. In October, 1879,
he built his present hotel, which is a two-story building, containing
fifteen sleeping rooms, parlors, dining-room, office and kitchen, all
fitted up in good style. Mr. Leonard shows his guests every atten-
tion and is a popular landlord. He was elected Ju^tice of the
Peace for two years, but resigned the office before the expiration
of his term. Politically he is a strong supporter of the Repub-
lican party.
Milton Martin^ proprietor of the " Central Market," Charles
City, is a native of New York, born in Oneida County, June 9,
1840. His parents were Ebenezer and Mercy (Doty) Martin, also
natives of New York, and members of the M. E. church. They
had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters.
Martin, subject of this sketch, was the eldest son. When five years
of age he removed, with his parents, to Winnebago County, Wis.,
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OHAKLBS OITT. 767
where his father settled on a farm. They resided there four years,
then moved into Ripon, Wis., where Martin attended school until
fourteen, then worked with his father in the market until 1855,
when he went to Wautoma, "Washara County, Wis., and ran a
hotel eighteen months. Subsequently returned to Bipon, and in
the spring of 1858 went overland with a party to Pike's Peak and
mined and prospected until fall, when he returned to Ripon, and re-
moved with his father to Washara County, Wis.,and farmed until the
outbreaking of the late war, when he enlisted in Company F, First
Wisconsin Cavalry, in spring of 1862, as a private, and was first
appointed Sergeant, then First Lieutenant, and afterward Captain of
the company, remaining until the close of the war, when he was
mustered out at Nashville, Teun. He returned to Ripon and
embarked in the market business. He was married to Miss Mercy
A. Eggleston, at Ripon, May 7, 1866. She was born in Wisconsin
and was a daughter of Giles and Catherine (Bullis) Eggleston,
natives of New York. After his marriage, on Oct. 31, 1866, Mr.
Martin located in Charles City, and established his present market.
They have been members of the First M. E. Church of Charles
City for the past ten years, and have had six children, viz.: An-
drew, Cora, George, Ebenezer, Earl and Ellinor. Mr. Martin is a
member of the A. O. TJ. W. and V. A. fraternities of Charles
City. In politics he is a strong Republican, and voted for the
amendment in 1882, and was the first Prohibitionist elected in the
City Council, and is now serving his fourth year. He is one of the
old residents and enterprising representative citizens and business
men of Charles City, where he has been identified since 1866. He
is of English and German descent. His great-grandfather was
Captain on an English man-of-war ship in the Revolutionary war.
CoArl MercJeelj Sr,^ of the firm of Merckel & Son, hardware,
Charles City, was born in Andernach. Prussia, Germany, Oct. 19,
1 812, a son of Elias and Theresa Merckel, nee Kerig. Carl attended
school and college until thirteen years of age, when he began
learning the tinner's trade with his father, continuing with him
three years. He then traveled in Holland, Belgium, France and
Germany, until twenty ; then worked with his father at Ander-
nach until 1838, and on June 10 of that year he was united in
marriage with Anna Marie Just, a native of Andernach, and a
daughter of John Just, who had charge of a forest in Germany,
After his marriage Mr. Merckel worked at hfs trade in his native
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758 HI8T0BT OP FLOYD OOUNTT.
place, until 1853, when he came to America; landed at New York
City, after a fifty-two days' journey. He worked in Albany,
Bochester and Buffalo, New York, until 1854, when he came West,
locating in Decorah, la., where he established the first tin shop in
that city. One year later he removed to St Paul, Minn., thence to
Dubuque, la., where he resided until August, 1856, when he set-
tled in Charles City, and in 1857 he sent to Germany for his
family. He was employed in the first tin shop in this county,
operated by Ferguson & Stanley until 1858, when he opened a
shop of his own. He was burned out in 1862, and then built his
present store. Mr. and Mrs. Merckel have been blessed with nine
children, three living — Theresa, wife of Wm. Hansberg, an old set-
tler and merchant of Charles City, Carl, Jr., and Maggie. Carl,
Jr., was born in Andernach, July 2, 1844, and attended school there
until thirteen years of age, when he came to Charles City, and
when fourteen learned the tinner's trade with his father, and in
1870 formed his present partnership with him. He married
Gracie F. Davidson, at Charles City, Sept. 19, 1870. She was
born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was a daughter of Donald David-
son and Marion L., nee Brown, who were likewise of Scottish birth>
and emigrated to America in 1865, settling in Floyd County, la.,
in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Merckel, Jr., have had two children, —
Carl D, born June 13, 1880, and Clyde, born Aug. 21, 1871, died
Oct. 27, 1879. Mr. Merckel, Jr., was elected Mayor of Charles
City in 1880, and held the ofiSce one year. He has been a member
of the City Council seven years. Father and son are both strong
supporters of the Republican party, and are classed with promi-
nent and enterprising business men of Charles City.
George WUhelm Meyer, the oldest and leading clothier and mer-
chant-tailor in Charles City, has been prominently identified with
the business interests of this city since 186S. A son of John and
Marie (Zimmerman) Meyer. He was bom Jan. 6, 1838, in the
village of Sumte, Prussia, Germany. He was the eldest son of a
family of five daughters and two sons, and after receiving a prac-
tical business education in his native town, went to Neuhans
were he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade; when twenty years of
age, having become proficient in his trade, he went to Hamburg,
and two years later emigrated to the TJiiited States, accompanied
by his sister, Mrs. John Pertzborm. He located in Madison, Wis.,
where he obtained employment at his trade. He was married
there on Apr. 7, 1862, to Marie Schneider, who was bom in
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0HABLE8 orrr. 759
Switzerland, a daughter of John J. and Maria Schneider, n^ Speich.
Mr. Meyer resided in Madison until 1867, when he removed to
Boscobel, Wis., remaining there nntil 1868, and then came to
Charles City. He at once established his present business, and
has met with deserved success, being known throughout the county
as a man of irreproachable business integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer
have ten children, viz : Wilhelm G. H., working in his father's
tailoring establishment; Paulina, George W., Amelia, Louisa,
Wilhelmina, Mary, Matilda, Henrietta and Cora. Politically Mr.
Meyer was formerly a Republican, but of late has been rather
independent, voting for principle rather than party.
MUea Brothe/r%^ W. F. and H. F. Miles, druggists, and dealers
in paints, oils, wall-paper and stationery. This is one of tlie
oldest and leading business houses of Charles City, and was estab-
lished in 1858, byDr. J. W.Smith and C. W. Atkinson, Mr. W. F.
and H. F. Miles becoming proprietors in 1868, and they have
increased their business, and enlarged their store from time to
time, until they now occupy a three-story building, 120 feet deep
by 22 feet wide, with a basement, and they carry a full and com-
plete stock of imported and domestic goods. W. F. and H. F.
Miles were bom in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y. W. F. was
bom Sept. 23, 1840, and H. F., Nov. 28, 1842. They were sons
of Levi and Emily (Boyd) Miles, he a native of Connecticut and
she of Massachusetts. They were members of the M. E. church?
and had a family of four sons and four daughters. W. F. Miles
attended school, working on his father's farm nntil he began teach-
ing school; taught winters and worked on the farm summers,
nntil twenty, when he attended the Commercial College, at Bing-
hamton, N. Y., where he graduated one year after. He then
resided at Beloit, Wis., until the outbreaking of the late Rebellion,
when he returned home to New York, and enlisted in Company A,
Thirteenth New York Infantry and heavy Artillery; was shot
through the right foot at a battle in front of Pittsburg, Pa., and
laid in the hospital suffering from fever and his wound, and came
near losing his life from exposure and neglect. He was found tliree
days after being wounded, by Dr. Tennant, a surgeon, who proved
to be a brother-in-law to Mr. Miles's brother, H. F. Miles.
Through the effort of Dr. Tennant Mr. Miles's life and limb was
saved. At the close of the war Mr. Miles returned to Deposit,
N. Y., and was appointed Principal of the Deposit Military Acad-
emy for one year; he then clerked for eighteen months in a drug-
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760 HI8T0BY OP FLOYD OOtTNTT.
gtore at Deposit, then came West to Waterloo, la., and clerked in a
dry-goods store one year, and then located in Charles City. Mr.
Miles married Miss Estella Corson, at Waterloo, la., Sept. 8, 1870.
She was bom in Ohio, and was a daughter of Charles and Maria
(Britton) Corson. Mr. Miles is a member of the M. E. church,
and Mrs. Miles a member of the Baptist church. They have two
children, viz.: Miss Carry and Charles L. Miles. Mr. Miles is a
charter member of I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. lodges. Mr.
Miles, during the war, was in the battles of Weldon JR. R, City
Point, Spring Valley and eighteen days in the battle of the
Wilderness, and at the battles and skirmishes of the regiment*
He was once taken prisoner by the Mosby's guerrillas; while carry-
ing dispatches, his horse threw him and ran down the road, and
was met by a company of cavalry, who returned and recaptured
him from the guerrillas, before they read his dispatches. Mr. H. F.
M les was also in the late war. He enlisted in Company A, One
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Infantry Volunteers, and re-
mained in the service until the cloee of the war, and was promoted
Secnd Lieutenant; was in the siege and capture of Fort Sumter, the
Peninsula campaign and at Gettysburg, and all the battles of the
regiment. Mr. H.F. Miles married Miss Mary A.Hanford,Oct.4,1869.
She was born at Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., and was a daughter
of George W. and Jane (Phillips) Hanford. Mr. Miles is a mem-
ber of the Congregational church, and Mrs. Miles a member of the
M. E. church. They have had two children, viz. : Fred H. and
Clarence W. Fred died May 5,1879, aged eight years. Mr. H.
F. Miles is a Mason and a member of St. Charles Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., No. 141, and A. O. U. W. lodge, of Charles City. Messrs.
W. F. and H. F. Miles are leading business men, and represent-
ative citizens of Charles City, where they have been in business
since 1868.
George P. Morris^ Treasurer of Floyd County, is a native o
Wisconsin, born in Racine, March 27, 1843, a son of Roswell
Morris (a native of Vermont) and Rowena, nee Goodwin, born in
New Hampshire. Eoswell Morris was a merchant, and in 1852
he removed with his family, which consisted of his wife and two
sons, viz.: Julius R. and George P., toDe Pere, thence to Green
Bay, Wis. George P. was educated in his native city and in
Green Biv, and in 1857 left home, and started out to fight life's
battles for himself, going to New York City, and engaging as
clerk in a wholesale hardware house at that place. In April, 1861,
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0HABLB8 CITY. 761
he enlisted in the Eighth New York National Guards Infantry Vol-
unteers, that being o?ne of the first troops ordered to "Washington.
He enlisted for three months as a private, and was promoted to
the rank of Commissary Sergeant of the regiment. He served
three months, then returned to Green Bay, and in the fall of
1861 enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry Volun-
teers, and remained with them until January, 1862, when he was
traudferred to the Second Wisconsin Cavalry as a Battalion C«)m-
missary Sergeant, remaining in tlie service until the fall of 1862,
when he received an honorable discharge, at Helena, Ark. He
returned to his old home in Wisconsin, and soon after was com-
missioned First Lieutenant of the Duryea, New York, Zouaves,
and prepared again for service, but was compelled to remain at
home, on account of illness. In the winter of 1862, he went to
Sparta, Wis., for his health, and, alter recuperating a few months,
accepted a situation as clerk in a hardware store. In 1864 he
went to La Crosse, where he clerked until 1868; then came to
Charles City, la., and established a news depot, and also dealt in
fancy notions. In January, 1872, he was appointed Deputy
Treasurer of Floyd County, retaining the position until May of
that year, when he received the appointment of United States
Express Agent, and in 1878 was appointed agent for the Amer-
ican Express Company. He held the positions until the fall of
1881, when he was elected to his present position, being nom-
inated by acclamation, and receiving the almost unanimous vote of
the county. Mr. Morris was married July 9, 1866, to Julia A.
Ely, who was bom in Cleveland, C, a daughter of Lyman and
Almira Ely, nee Kent. They have had six children — Bessie R.,
born Jan. 11, 1868; Daisy M., July 21, 1873; M. Louisa, Oct. 12,
1876; Emma M., June 9, 1878; George R, July 19, 1880; and
Julia A., deceased. Mr. Morris has held many of the city offices,
and in each instance has shown himself to be eminently fitted to
hold public positions of trust. He is a member of the Iowa
Legion of Honor, of which he is Treasurer. Politically, he is a
Republican.
Julius P. Norths tinner and dealer in stoves and general hard-
ware, was bom in Angelica, Allegany County, N. Y., Jan. 31,
1834. He was a son of Geo. B. and Julia (Perrine"^ North. The
former was a native of Vermont and he was a son of Noah North,
whose father came from England and settled in Connecticut. Noah
North's family consisted of five sons and two daughters, viz.:
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782 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUIHT.
Henry P., tinsmith of Geneseo, N. Y.; William, gunsmith at
Hartford, Conn., Albert, tinsmith, who died at Geneseo, N. T.;
George B., tin and coppersmith; Charles A., tinsmith at Wyom-
ing, N. T., and Olive and Laura. The former died at Angelica,
N. Y. Noah emigrated to Geneseo, N. Y., with his family, and
his son, Geo. B., father of Julius P., subject of this sketch, early
showed a fonduess for the water by building small water crafts.
He worked at the tinner's and coppersmith's trade until twenty-
two, when he made two cruises in the war ship "Brandywine" for
four years, then went to Buffalo, N. Y., where, he worked at his
trade and owned property. On a visit to Geneseo he met and
afterward married Miss Julia Perrine; married May, 1831. She
was a daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Wright) Perrine. Her
fiather served in the Revolutionary war, and for his meritorious ser-
vices his wife received a pension; she outlived him a number ot
years and finally died at Ovid, N. Y. Her daughter, Hannah
Perrine, grandmother of Julius P. North, was born at Hebron,
Conn., and emigrated to Geneseo, N. Y., in 1827, and died at
Angelica in 185it, aged seventy-six years. She and husband had
a family of two sons and three daughters, viz. : Thomas, Julius,
Julia, Eveline and Emeline Perrine. Geo. B. and Julia (Perrine)
North, parents of Julius P., had a family of four sons and two
daughters, viz.: Alford, Julius P., Mary J., Eveline, George and
George second; the last two died in infancy. Mary J. died at Gen-
eseo, Feb. 26, 1879, aged forty-five; the rest are living. Julius P.,
subject of this sketch, was the second son. He attended school
until thirteen, when he learned the tinner's trade with his uncle,
Henry P. North, until nineteen. Julius then came to Chicago
and worked at his trade two years, then came to Jacksonville,
Chickasaw County, la. , and located land and worked here and in
Elkader, Clayton County, until 1866, when he came to Charles
City and established his present business. Mr. North married
Miss Carrie M. Updike, at Jacksonville, la., Jan. 26, 1858. She
was bom in Westfield, N. Y., and was a daughter of William and
Mercy (Loveless) Updike, he of New Jersey and she of New York.
Mr. and Mrs. North are members of the M. E. church and they
have been members of this church for the past twenty-tVo years.
Mr. North is Class-Leader in the First M. E. Church of Charles
City. He and wife have had three sons and one daughter, viz.:
Earl J., born Nov. 3, 1859; Miss Hattie M., born Sept. 2, 1862;
Henry P., born Nov. 12, 1865, and George F., born Sept. 12, 1870.
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OHABLES OITY. 763
Mr. North is one of the leading mannfactarers and bnsinesB men
of Charles City. In politics, a Republican, and he has always
been a strong advocate of temperance, having voted the Iowa pro-
hibitory law in 1855, and also voted the amendment prohibiting
the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors in 1882.
A E, Palmer^ an old settler and farmer, residing in Charles
City, is a native of Illinois, and was born in Aurora, Kane County,
July 27, 1841, a son of Dr. N. H. and Miranda (Isball) Palmer, who
were members of the M. E. church. He was a native of Vermont,
and emigrated to New York, where he was married. In 1835 he
moved to Aurora, III., where he practiced medicine until the
spring of 1854, when he came to Bremer County, la., and the fall
of that year located in Charles City. In company with Milo Gil-
bert he bought a half interest in Charles City and the water-power
of Joseph Kelly. Dr. Palmer practiced medicine in Charles City
until his death, which occurred Oct. 9, 1872, aged seventy-five
years and one day. He was married four times. He first married
Miss Samantha Blair, Nov. 17, 1825; they had one son and three
daughters; three daughters living, viz.: Martha, wife of "Wm. D.
Smith, a farmer of Roekford, Floyd County; Margaret, wife of
Milo Gilbert, of Nora Springs; Mary, wife of George Squires,
of Ohio. The mother died Jan. 10, 1836. Dr. Palmer then
married Miranda Isball, Nov. 19, 1835. The fruit of this mar-
riage was five children, one son and four daughters, two living,
viz. : Malinda, wife of John Howland, residing on a farm at Blue
Earth City, Minn., and A. E. Palmer, subject of this sketch.
The mother died April 8, 1848. She was a member of the M. E.
church. Dr. Palmer then married Miss N. Rhodes, April 29,
1849. They had one daughter, viz.: Eva, wife of Henry McGowen ;
they reside at Clear Lake, la. The mother died Oct. 27, 1856.
Dr. Palmer married Mrs. Jane Howland, March 12, 1857. Her
maiden name was Lowell. They had one daughter — Eugenia,
wife of a Mr. West. A. E. Palmer, subject of this memoir, in
1854, came with his parents to Charles City, and attended school
until seventeen, when he began farming, and bought land, which
he still owns. He married Miss Alice Stahl, at Panora, la., Nov.
27, 1873. She was born in Ohio, and was a daughter of Harmon
and Mary (MoflStt) Stahl; he of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio.
They were members of the M. E. church, and had a family of two
sons and two daughters. After his marriage Mr. Palmer settled
on his farm, where they still reside, in the suburbs of Charles City.
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764 HISTOEY OP FLOYD OOUNTY.
Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Baptist charch. They have a
family of four children, viz.: N. Harmon, born Oct. 10, 1874;
M. Miranda, Aug. 31, 1877; J. Elston, Aug. 30, 1879, and Irwing
S., Sept. 15, 1881. Mr. Palmer owns thirty-eight acres of land
inside of city corporation, and three lots and his residence. He is
one of the old settlers of Floyd County, where he has been identified
since 1854. There was but one frame house in Oharles City when
he came, and his sister, Mrs. Malinda Howland, taught the first
school in Charles City. In politics Mr. Palmer is a Republican,
and was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. He is one of the
enterprising representative men of Oharles City.
William M. PoLmer^ M. D.^ Charles City, was born in Lin-
coln ville, then Hancock, now Waldo County, Me., on Jan. 23, 1809,
He was the second son of a family of eleven children, bom of
Nathaniel and Susan (Pendleton) Palmer, the former a native of
Massachusetts, the latter of Maine. He lived on his father's farm
and attended school until twenty years of age, when he left the
paternal roof to make his own way in the world, going to Somer-
set County, Me., where he engaged in farming and studied medi-
cine until 1857, and then engaged in the practice of his profession.
He was united in marriage with Ann Shaw, at Palmyra, on Sept
29, 1833. She was born in Winthrop, Me., a daughter of S. C.
and Eachael Shaw, nee Sinkler. Of eight children, born of this
union four are living — Maria, married W. D. Balch, a banker of
Charles City; L. G., engaged in mining in Missouri; Mary E.,
wife of Judge Reiniger, banker of Oharles City; Bina S., wife of
Alford Wood, a merchant at Gallasen, Col. J. K., the eldest son,
enlisted in the First Illinois Cavalry, and was killed at the battle
of Lexington, Mo., while bravely defending his country's cause;
LeRoy was a drummer boy in the Twenty-first Maine Infantry,
and died in the hospital at City Point, Va.; Eveline died in Pal-
myra, Me., aged fourteen years and ten months, and Kate, wife of
L. H. Cheney, died in Charles City, aged twenty years and ten
months. Dr. Palmer located in Charles City, in March, 1865, and
has been engaged in active practice here since, and has met vdtli
flattering success. He is a Mason and a prominent member of
the St. Charles Lodge, No 141; is also a member of the chapter.
He has served as a member of the City Council, and while a resi-
dent of Palmyra was elected to many public positions of trust, be-
ing elected to the office of Legislator in 1848. Politically he was
formerly a Jackson Democrat, but since the organization of the
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OHABLBS omr. 765
Bepnblican part; has been one of its strongest supporters. Dr.
Palmer came of English ancestry and is a descendant of two
brothers of that name, who came over in the ''Mayflower."
E. L. Pease^ manufacturer of fine buggies, carriages and
wagons, Charles City, established his factory here in the spring of
1865. He employs first-class workmen, including wagon-makers,
carriage painters, trimmers and blacksmiths. He is prepared to
first-class work, which he warrants. This is one of the leading
manufactories of Charles City. Mr. Pease was born in Colesville,
Broome County, N. Y., March 9, 1832. His parents were Isaac
and Hannah (Clark) Pease, who were natives of Massachusetts, and
members of the M. E. church. They had a family of three sons
and two daughters. E. L., subject of this memoir, was the
youngest, and when three years of age, in 1835, he removed with
his parents to Hancock County, 111., and one year after removed
with his parents to Chautaiiqaa County, N.Y., and attended school
and worked on a farm until nineteen, when he began to work at
the carriage-maker's trade. One year after they went to Hume,
AJlegdny County, for two and a half years; thence to Jamestown
two years, then at Ripon, Wis., where he worked until spring of
1865, when he came to Charles City and established his present
business. Mr. Pease married Miss Catherine Webster at Poplar
Grove, Boone County, 111,, June 18, 1862. She was born in New
York, and was- a daughter of N. S. Webster, lumber and coal
dealer at Poplar Grove, III. Mrs. Pease is a member of the Bap-
tist church, and she and husband have two sons and one daughter,
viz.: Frank N. and Fred E., born May 16, 1863, working in
the carriage factory with their father; and Miss Anna M., bom
in Charles City, Dec. 2, 1865; she resides with her parents. Mr.
Pease is one of the enterprising business men of Charles City,
where he has resided since 1865. In politics he is a Kepublican,
and he is of Enc^lish descent.
Nathan Phdpa^ manufacturer of wagons, carriages and buggies,
and dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements, is one of the lead-
ing manufacturers of Charles City. He was born in Pembrokeshire,
Wales, Oct. 31, 1845, and was a son of William and Martha
(Hodges) Phelps, who have a family of five sons and five daugh-
ters. Nathan beinoj the youngest son. When eight years of age he
came with his parents to America; landed in New York City, and
located in Chicago, 111., where he remained one year; then moved
47
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766 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
to Lake County, 111., and in 1857 came to Decorah, la., where he
learned the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, and in 1868 came
to Charles City, and established his present agricultural business;
in 1873 he began the manufacture of wagons, carriages, etc. Mr.
Phelps married Miss Emma E. Stearns, Dec. 9, 1869; she was bom
in Lake County, 111., a daughter of John Stearns. Mrs. Phelps is
a member of the Congregational church. They have had a family of
two daughters and one son, viz.: Fred., Bertha and Veara. Mr.
Phelps is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, Charles City
lodge, and chapter. In politics, he has always been a supporter
of the Republican party. He is one of the enterprising manufact-
urers and businessmen of Charles City, where he has been identi-
fied since 1868.
Henry G, Raymond^ President and half-owner of tiie Boss Har-
row Manufacturing Company, and Vice-President of the First
National Bank, Cii.irles City, was born in Niskaynna, Schenec-
tady County, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1838, a son of Henry A. and Cather-
ine M. (Miller) Raymond. His father was a native of Connec-
ticut and a minister of the Dutch Reform church of America;
she was also a member of this church. They had a family of six
sons and four daughters. Henry C, the subject of this sketch, was
the second son. When ten years of age, he removed with his
parents to Owasco, Cayuga County, N. F., and two years later
he went to Newark, N. J., anj worked in his uncle's patent-leather
factory two years; then returned to Owasco, and attended school
until fifteen. He attended the Brockport Academy at Brockport,
N. Y., one year; then joined his parents at Vischer's Ferry. Sara-
toga County, N. Y., his father having been installed minister of
the church there. That winter, at the early age of sixteen, he be-
gan to teach school. He taught two terms in Rosedale Township,
Schenectady County, and in the spring of 1865 went to Newark,
N. J., and worked with his uncle until the fall of 1866, when lie
came West. He worked for a farmer in Rockton Township, Win-
nebago County, m., until winter; then taught school near Beloit,
Wis., until the spring of 1866, and then canvassed for a historical
work some three months. He went to Janesville, Wis., where he
was bill clerk two months in the railroad office; then learned teleg-
raphy, and was an assistant in the city office of the Western
Union Company until the winter of 1867, when he enoraged as
bookkeeper and buyer for a grain merchant at Clinton, Wis., and
in the spring of 1867 he came to Waterloo, la. He clerked in a
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CHABLE8 CITY. 767
dry-goods store there until 1868, when he was sent in charge of
a stock of goods to Mankato, Minn., and opened a store, remain-
ing there until July, 1858, when he engaged with a Government
surveying company, to survey the Sioux Reservation on the Red-
wood River. The following winter he returned to Waterloo; soon
afterward went East on a visit, and in the spring of 1859 he joined
his brother at Waterloo, and formed a partnership with him in the
mercantile business. In 1862 he left the store in charge of his
brother, and enlisted in Company C, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry
Volunteers, and was elected Lieutenant of this company, and after-
ward commissioned Captain. He was mustered out at closoof
the war, and returned to his store at Waterloo. Soon afl^er he and
his brother bought out J. F. Brown, a merchant at Waverly, la.,
and remained in business there until June, 1868, when he came
to Charles City. Mr. Raymond purchased some lots in Charles
City, and opened a store of general provisions, which he sold to
Vandenberg and Kosinke, in August, 1880. Mr. Raymond is pro-
prietor and owner of •' Raymond Hall," and Vice-President of the
First National Bank, of Charles City, and was one of the original
incorporatx)rs of this bank. He is also one of the proprietors of
the Elm Spring Creamery, Charles City, and is half owner of the
Boss Harrow Manufactaring Company. He married Mrs. Julia A.
Siver in Unadilla, Otsego County, N. Y., June 19, 1875; she was
bom in New York City, and was a daughter of Geo. and Dorothy
(Hardcastle) Raw. Mrs. Raymond first married Charles C. Siver.
The fiodt of this marriage was one daughter, viz. : Nellie G.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are menmbers of the First Congregational
Church in Charles City, and have had two children, one living,
viz. : Grace B., bom Nov. 23, 1876. Mr. Raymond is a Mason
and member of St. Charles Lodge, No. 141, Almond Chapter and
Eastern Star Chapter; he has held the office of O. of H. in this
chapter. He is one of the leading manufacturers and enterpris-
ing, representative business men of Charles City, where he has
been identified since 1868. In politics he is a Republican, and
voted for the amendment, in 1882. He is of French and Holland,
and she of English, descent.
E. A. Reiniger^ Sheriff of Floyd County, was bom in Seneca
Township, Seneca County, O., June 1, 1836. His parents, Gusta-
vus Reiniger and Rose, nee Derr, were natives of Wurtemberg,
Germany, who emigrated to America in 1828, landed in New York,
and settled in Seneca County, O. They had a family of three
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768 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUITIT.
sons and three daughters, E. A. being the youngest. His early
life was- spent in attending school and assisting on the farm, and
when about fifteen years of age, he learned the carpenter and
joiner's trade, at vvhich he worked in Ohio until the fall of 1855,
when he came to Floyd County, and obtained employment at his
trade. In April, 1861, in respo ise to the President's call for
75,000 men, he enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Infantry Vol-
unteers, being the first man to otfer himself on the altar of the
Union's salvation, in this county. On Jan. 1, 1862, he was trans-
ferred to Company B, Seventh Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and was
promoted from private to a non-commissioned officer. In July,
1862, he was sent North to enlist men to supply tiie depleted
ranks of his company, and in September, 1862, they consolidated
with Company G, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry Volunteers, lie
being commissioned Second Lieutenant. He served until the close
of the war; then returned to Ciarles City, wher-i ho f )llowed his
trade until 1870; then engaged in farming, in St. Charles Town-
ship. In October, 1881, he was elected to the i»ffice of Sheriff of
Floyd County, which he still holds. On Jan 1, 1867, he was
united in marriage with Clarinda, daugliter of Louis and Eunice
Cole, nee Alexander. She was born in Goshen, Vt. Mr. R<dniger
is a member of I. O. O. F., Charles City Lodge, and in politics
a pronounced Re|)ublican. He is one of the pioneers and represent-
ative men of Floyd County, where he has been identified since
October, 1855.
P, RoBe^ manufacturer of wagons, buggies, carriages, and re-
pairer of farm machinery, etc., Charles City, is a native of Perth-
shire, Scotland, born in Crieff, April 15, 1830; a son of Alexander
and Elizabeth (Drummond) Rose, likewise natives of Scotland,
and members of the Presbyterian cliurch. They had a family of
seven children, of whom onr subject was the eldest. In 1832 he
embarked with his parents in the brig *' Victoria" for America, and
landed at Quebec, Canada, after a voyage of six week^. They
settled in London District, where he was educated and learned the
wagon- maker's trade. He was married at Fort Atkinson, Iowa,
on Jan. I, 1860, to Hnttie Updike, who was born in Batavia, III.
Two children blessed this union, viz.: Minnie C. and Charles A.,
a printer of this city. The mother died Jan. 3, 1869, and Mr.
Rose was married on March 20, 1862, to Lucretia Putney, who
died in May, 1874. He married his present wife, Mrs. Mary B.
Angell, April 21, 1877. She has five children by a former mar-
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OHABLES CITY. 769
riage, viz.: Edwin L, gardener near Golden, Col.; Nellie, engaged
in teaching school in St. Charles Township; C. B., working in the
sash, door and blind factory; William, with his brother in Col-
orado, and John, employed in Wilkins's art gallery. In 1866 Mr.
R)8e came to Iowa, locating in Waterloo, where he constructed the
first wagon made in Black Hawk County. One year later he went
to Fort Atkinson, and there also made the first wagon, and in
April, 1860, he came to Cliarles City, where he has been actively
engaged in his present business since. In politics he is a strong
supporter of the R publican party, and voted for the amendment
in 1882.
t. A. Roziene^ real estate dealer, loan broker, and treasurer of
the Floyd County Savings Bank, was born in Wirnmerby, Prov-
ince of Smaland, Sweden, Aug. 7, 1835, a son of Thos. Roziene
and Fredrlka, nee Lagervall. Prior to emigrating to this country
he spent seven years in Lap'and, arriving in the United States, on
Dec. 1, 1854. He enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry in June, 1862, as a private, and served in the Mis-
sissippi Valley with his regiment. For gallant and meritorious
services he WiS promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, anil was
detaclied from the command at Vicksburg, and appointed As-
sistant Commissary of Muster (mustering officer), deparrmont of
Mississippi, in June, 1865, aid was retained in thaf capacity until
M ly, 1866. He was Assistant Provost Marshal at Vicksburg, in
1864 and 1865. Mr. Roziene settled in Charles City, la., in 1868.
He was married to Adeline A. Barnes, on Jai. 5, 1866, at Elk
Grove, Cook County, 111., her birth-p'ace. She is a daughter of
Joseph A. Barnes and Eliza, nee Wilder, who settled in Chicago
in 1833. Two children have blessed their union, viz. : Frederick B.,
bom Aug. 28, 1867, and Addie E., April 10, 1870. Mr. and Mrs.
floziene are members of the Congre^^ational church. He is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity, and in politics is a
Republican.
Charles H. SfiaWy proprietor of the Union House, Charles City,
is a native of Maine and was born in the city of Bangor, Penob-
scott County, on Oct. 3, 1848. His fatlier, James M. Shaw, was a
merchant of Bangor, Me., where he married Susan Tyler; they are
members of the Biptist church, and now reside in North wood, la.
They hai a family of six d lughters and one s m, five daughters
and one son living. Chas. H., subject of this sketch, was the third
child. He attended school in Corinth until seventeen when he
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770 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
engaged in the mercantile business in Bangor, a member of the
j&rm of Boden & Shaw, grocers, until August, 1876, when he
sold out and came to Charles City, where he has since been engaged
in the hotel business. In January, 1882, he purchased the Union
House, for an account of which, see Chapter XVII. No one can
excel "Charlie Shaw" in keeping a good hotel.
Oeorge P. Smithy proprietor of the Charles City Sash, Door
and Blind Factory, was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County,
N. T., March 9, 1836, a son of George E. Smith, Sr., a cabinet-
maker by trade, and Harriet, nee Emerson. They were natives of
New York, and members of the Episcopal church. George P., Jr.,
was the eldest of a family of nine children, and when two years old
removed with his parents to Saratoga, N. Y., where his father
embarked in the furniture business. He attended school there
until twelve years (»f age when the family located in Burlington,
Vt. His father asc^isted in the building of the Vermont Centra
R. R, and on its completion, George, Jr., was employed as fire-
man on an engine, and gradually rose to the position of engineer
on both a freight and passenger engine. In January, 1861, lie
came to Iowa, locating in Floyd, Floyd County. He enlisted in
August, 1862, in Company G, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry Vol-
unteers, and qerved until the close of the war, being promoted in
1864 to rank of Quartermaster of his regiment Upon leaving
the service he came to Charles City and engaged in running sta-
tionary engines until 1876, when he purchased a half interest in
his present factory with D. Andrews, and in December, 1881, Mr*
Andrews sold his interest to Geo. T. Willman, who in March,
1882, disposed of his interest to Mr. Smith, who has since con-
ducted it alone. The factory gives direct employment to thirteen
men, and is the only one of the kind in Floyd County, and the
second established in Northwestern Iowa. Mr. Smith was mar-
ried Oct. 12, 1871, to Frances E. Tuttle, of Rockford, 111., and a
daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Bowen) Tuttle, who were among
the settlers of Floyd County in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have
one child, a daughter. Ivy, bom July 12, 1872. Mr. Smith is
a Mason and a member of St. Charles Lodge, No. 141. He has
served as a member of the City Council two years, and politically
is a Republican. He came of Scotch ancestry and is a descendant
of Alexander McGregor, founder of the town of McGregor, la.
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OHAitLES onr. 771
Joel Washington Smith is one of the oldest physicians and older
residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty-
two years oi ap^. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County*
N. Y., July 23, 1824. The most remote member of his family
that is clearly authenticated was Thomas Smith, — born near 1700.
Traditionally, he or his near ancestors emigrated from Haverhill,
in Northeastern Massachusetts, to Feeding Hills, in West Spring-
field, Mass., where he and several succeeding generations resided.
His wife was Abigail, daughter of Anthony Austin, of Sutfield,
Conn, His father, Anthony, when about twenty-two years ot
age, went from Boston to Snffield. He was the youngest child ot
Christian Jew parents, that, near the time of Luther, to escape
religious (?) persecution, fled from Bohemia or Hungary to
Holland, then to England ; and thence the widow with three boys
— youngest, three years — and two girls, came to Boston. There she
soon married a merchant and the children were well educated for
those times. Mrs. Smith lived to the age of ninety-eight. They
had two sons, John and Thomas. The descendants of the latter
lire numerous about Springfield, and are widely scattered.
John married M. Stockwell. They had four sons and two
daughters. He died at Franklin, N, Y. One son, Anthony, had
a large family, and died at Whiting, Vt., in 1853. Juba and
Thomas, with families, removed to Springfield, Bradford County,
Pa. The daughters married but had no children.
The other son, Darius — Doctor's grandfather — was born 1766 ;
near 1790, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Colegrove and
Mary Olin. She is reported as born at Preston, K. I. There is
such a place in New London County, Conn., adjoining — none in
Rhode Island. Colgrove was of English descent. Died at South'
wick, Mass. Family removed to New York- About 1801 Darius
Smith and family removed to Franklin, N. T. Six children grew
up. His wife died near 1828 at Otego, Otsego County, N. T.; he,
at Franklin, 1849; both were buriedat Otego.
Their elder son, Silas, Doctor's father, was born at Feeding Hills,
Sept. 3, 1794 ; died at Franklin, N. Y., April 10, 1878. His wife
— married 1821 — was Lydia, eldest daughter of Major Joel Gillett,
of Franklin, N. Y., who emigrated from Hebron, Conn., near
1806. She was born at the latter place 1801; died at Franklin, 1877.
The earliest Gillett ancestor known was John — said to be Welsh —
bom at Kehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I. He was taken
prisoner at Deerfield, Mass., by the Indians and French, Sept. 16,
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772 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
1696 ; takea to Qaebec ; a servant for a time at a nnnnerj, and
returned home the next year ('if) via France and England; set-
.tling at Lebanon, Conn., — farther from Indians, — where he had a
large family. One son was Ebenezer ; a son of his, Ezekiel, born
at Lebanon, April 3, 1743, was, during the Revolution, one of the
staff, or body-guard, of Gov. Trumbull, of Lebanon. Ezekiel
married Dorcas Hawkins, born May, 1739, at Coventry, Conn.
He removed to Hebron, Conn., near 1768. Major Gillett was one
of his sons, born at Hebron, Feb. 7, 1773; with his family removed
to Franklin, N. Y., 1806— '7, where he died 1863. His wife,
Clarissa, born March 28, 1778, daughter of Capt. Thomas Carrier
and Lydia Ingham, of Marlborough, Conn., is reported a descend-
ant of Martha Allen, wife of Thomas Carrier. She was put to
death for witchcraft at Salem. They had thirteen children, six
sons and seven daughters ; all grew to maturity and eight of them
are living (1882). Her age was eighty-five. Major Gillett was a
captain of artillery, and the Doctor's father a private in the war
of 1812.
Silas Smith was a successful farmer, living fifty-five years, or
until his death, April 10, 1878, upon the same farm, at Franklin,
N. Y. Joel W. is the second of the twelve children. He has
eight brothers and two sisters living. The father and nine sons
cast ten votes for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.
It was thus the good fortune of the subject of this sketch to
spend the early years of his life upon a farm — to learn to work.
He was born in a log house, — is not ashamed to own it either; was
an average boy, though called a trusty one, and spent his time as
was usual with boys of the place and period. Some of the occupa-
tions were, turning grindstone, helping clear the heavy timbered
land, building stone walls for fences, catching trout — then plenty
— and attending the district school in winter. His impressions of
picking up stones into heaps on mowing' land, and planting and
hoeing corn and potatoes in tough, stony soil, were not favorable
to such farming.
When fifteen, he was sent to the academy in Franklin,—" Dela-
v?are Literary Institute," — even then, as later, a school of high
reputation. Until 1846, each winter, with one exception, was spent
there or in teaching; the other time upon the farm. Fortunately^
if his early opportunities were somewhat limited, he made the best
possible use of what he had. Home infinences, business training
and most of the surroundings were good. While he liked farming
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CHARLES OTTT. 77S
aud teaching pretty well, as Buccessfal in each, he did for a
time think of becoming a civil engineer, bat finally decided to be
what he had long thought of, a physician. Most of the time from .
1846 to 1850 was spent in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New
York City, pursuing professional studies, — teaching several terms
to partly defray expenses, — and graduating at Yale in January,
1860. Previous to and after that time, he took special courses of
instruction in New York, being the private pupil of Prof. William
Detmold, a distinguished physician and surgeon of that city.
April 4, 1850, he married Susan Maria, only daughter of Will-
iam Wheat, Esq., of East Franklin— Croton Postoffice — New
York, where she was born, Jan. 8, 1826. Her father was born
1796, at Marlborough, Hartford County, Conn. When twelve
years of age, his parents removed to Franklin, N. Y., where
he died in 1871. His father, also William, was a sea captain in
early life. His wife was Mary, daughter of Joshua BoUes and
Eunice Shepherd, she of Hartford, Conn ; each died at Frank-
lin ; she, March 4, 1839 ; her husband near 1866, aged ninety-
six years. They had a family of nine children. The Captain^a
father was Solomon Wheat, a preacher and a physician. He
and his wife, Kebecca|or Susannah Richardson died at Franklin
New York. They had thirteen children, of whom twelve grew up.
Their descendants are^widely scattered. Traditionally, the Wheats
were Welsh.
Mrs. Smith's mother — wife of William Wheat, Esq. — was
Altamira, eldest daughter of Beacon Thomas Wolcott and Mar-
gery Boyd, of East Franklin, N. Y., where Deacon Wolcott and
wife died. The family came from near Southampton, Mass.,
where Mrs. Wheat was born. She died Sept. 27, 1871,^
aged sixty-nine years. Four of their five children are living.
Doctor Smith practiced successfully in his native county and town
until 1857, when he removed to Charles City, then St. Charles.
His quick perception, industiy, good judgment, thorough medical
education, kindness and gentlemanly deportment have been appre-
ciated ; and professionally he now ranks the equal of any physician
of his years in the State. In practice, he has always been conserv-
ative, yet progressive and independent. He has never thought
that to use drugs was the only way by which the good physician
may earn his fee. His great excellence has been a rare gift of
seeing the end from the beginning, and using such means, and
such means only, as he believed might aid nature in her work of
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774 HISTOBT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
restoration. As a pioneer surgeon he has been qnick to improvise
means to accomplish the best results ; and he has performed many
new and delicate operations, usually attempted only by city spe-
cialists. The prevention and cure of disease by hygienic and
sanitary measures early engaged his attention, — too often to his
cost, — and long before it was the popular subject that it now is
with the more intelligent classes. He has always preferred to
excel in one calling — his profession — to engaging in too many other
things, politics included. Pecuniarily, he has been reasonably
successful, though a poor collector for himself. The key note of
permanent success with him, as in all cases, has been to try do
everything well, and observe the golden rule in all his dealings.
A man of quiet demeanor and kindly nature, of intelligent but
positive views, of deep convictions and large common sense, cannot
fail to impress the community and age in which he lives. Taking
a deep interest and an active part in all educational, moral and
material interests ; contributing liberally to benevolent objects
according to his means ; at times holding various positions of
public trust, in none of which was his integrity or ability ever
questioned. None but himself can know, and eternity only can
reveal, the labors, the sacrifices and pecuniary cost to himself of
the work which he has done for the schools of Charles City and
vicinity. This alone showed business capacity of high order. He
has often spoken with his pen through the press of his town and
other leading newspapers, — oftenest without name, that the matter
might be judged by its merit, — and has contributed valuable papers
in his profession. In 1876 he was a member of the International
Medical Congress, at Philadelphia, a delegate from the Iowa
State Medical Society. He is connected with different medical
and scientific bodies, but is not a member of any secret societies,
more from want of time than any other reason. While his life
has been a busy and active one, he is still a student ; and with an
excellent memory, possesses extensive general knowledge ; is a
progressive and practical man, a close observer of men and things,
an independent thinker, a good public worker when interested,
and, though forgiving in his nature, abhors shams and frauds in
individuals, in politics, in medicine, in religion and everywhere.
As much as he desires the good opinion of his fellow men, he had
rather be right than be popular. He has uniformly opposed the
use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, and worked vigorously for the
Constitutional Amendment of 1882. In politics he was a Bepub-
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OHABLES CITY. 775
lican from the first, but places principle above party obligations.
In religious belief be is liberal orthodox, a usual attendant at the
Congregational church, partly from force of education, but is
wholly unsectarian in his views. The family consists of four sons
and one daughter, — another died when young. The eldest, Irving
Wheat Smith, M. D., born in New York, March 1, 1851, gradu-
ated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1875, and is in
business with his father — Smith & Son. In 1876 he married
fiallie, daughter of George Stalker and Hannah Milliken, of Rich-
land, Keokuk County, la. They have one daughter — Hannah —
and one has died. Ida Elizabeth, the daughter, is the wife of
La Verne W. Noyes, of Chicago, a successful inventor and manu-
facturer. Mr. Noyes is the son of Leonard R. Noyes and Jane
Jessup, former residents of Geneva, Cayuga County, N. Y., but
now of Springfield, Linn County, la. The son and wife, daugh-
ter and husband are graduates of the Iowa State Agricultural
College. William Thomas and Charles Francis — twins — born
Nov. 3, 1864, and Fred Edmund, born Aug. 18, 1866, reside with
their parents. Theirs is an elegant home, the family a happy one,
its members commanding the respect of all who know them.
Isaiah Snyder^ a member of the Charles City Plow Co., was
bom in Lancaster, Fairfield County, O., Aug. 31, 1834, a son of
William Snyder, of Pennsylvania, and Elzabeth, nee Bixler. He
was the second son of a family of six children, and when he was
some three years of age his parents moved to Sholbyville, 111., and
one year later located in Sullivan, now the county-seat of Moultrie
County, that State. He was there reared and educated, and when
he was fourteen years old his father died, and he farmed with his
mother until eighteen, when he went to Sullivan, and there followed
blacksmithing and the manufacture of plows four years. In the
lall of 1857 he went to Mitchell County, la., spent one yearjn a
mill there, then came to Charles City. In partnership with F. R.
WooUey he opened the first plow factory in Floyd County, and
they made the first plow made in this county. This partnership con-
tinued until February, 1881, when the present stock company was
formed. The factory had previously been enlarged from time to
time, and is now one of the principal manufacturing interests of
the city and county. On July 4, 1859, Mr. Snyder was united in
marriage with Miss Sarah A. Lewis, who was bom near Rockford,
III., a daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Vance) Lewis. Of seven
•children born of this union, five are living — Bertha E., May
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776 HISTOET OP FLOYD OOUNTr.
Antoinette, Frank L., Henry L., and George W. Mr. Snyder is a
strong supporter of the Bepnblican party, and is classed with the
prominent citizens and business men^of Charles City.
Samuel H. Stcmr^ proprietor of the larg^est boot and shoe empo-
rinm in Floyd County, was born in Charles City, la., on May 17,
1858, a son of S. B. Starr and Adeline, nee Hughes. His father is
one of the pioneers, and the oldest member of the bar now living in
Charles City. Samuel H. attended school in his native town until
1875, when he entered the Military Academy, at Faribault, Minn.,
remaining there one year, then attended the college at Morgan
Park, 111., one year. He entered Bailey's Commercial College, of
Dubuque, la., and graduated from that institution in 1878. Upon
leaving school he accepted a situation as clerk in the hardware
store of Townsend & Smith, which he retained two years, then, in
partnership with John Ferguson, established his present store. lu
January, 1882, Mr. Starr purchased his partner's interest, and has
since conducted the business alone. He was married Sept 19^
1879, to Cornie Clute, who was born in New York State, a daugh-
ter of N. M. Clute, a Presbyterian minister, now located in Daven-
port, la. Mr. Starr is a prominent member of St. Charles Lodge,
No. 141, A. F. & A. M., and politically favors the Republican
party. He is one of the prominent and representative business
men of Charles City.
B. W. Stevens^ of the firm of Stevens, Hering & Co., wholesale
and retail dealers in and manufacturers of all kinds of furniture,
was born in Methuen, Essex County, Mass., Feb. 18, 1843; his
father, Benjamin A. Stevens, is a native of Deerfield, Maes., born
June 18, 1815, the day of the battle of Waterloo, and Oct. 20, 1839,
he married Harriet Osgood at Methuen, Mass., where she was
born. Of four children born of this union three are living — Har-
riet E., wife of William H. Coffin; B. W., subject of this sketch,
and Arthur O., engaged in the furniture business at Spencer, la.
In 1871 B. A. Stevens came with his family to Charles City,
where he has since remained, and in classed with the prominent
and respected citizens of the city. In politics he is a Republican.
His wife died here on Dec. 8, 1881. The subject of this memoir
was educated in his native town, and in 1857 removed to Bad Axe
County, Wis., where he engaged in farming until 1871, when he
came to Charles City and engaged in the present business. He was
married on Nov. 24, 1868, to Hattie E. Atkins, born at La Porte,
Ind. She was a daughter of J. T. and Amanda Atkins, nee Hea-
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0HAKLE8 CITY. 77T
ton. They have two children — Grafton A., born June 15, 1876,
and Barton, Aug. 29, 1880. In politics Mr. Stevens is strong
adherent to the principles of the Republican party. The factory
-of Stevens, Hering & Co. is among the most prominent of the
business and manufacturing interests of Charles City, and its pro-
prietors are recognized as gentlemen of irreproachable business
integrity. They give direct employment to twenty men, ^nd their
trade extends thronghout the States of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minne-
sota and Daki)ta.
Mrs. Elizabeth Strcmn^ one of the old settlers of Floyd County,
and at present a resident of Charles City, was born near Chilli-
<5othe, Ross County, O., Feb. 5, 1810. Her parents were William
and Elizabeth (Cating) Jolly, also natives of Ohio and members of
the Presbyterian church. They had a family of four sons and six
daughters; seven of the family lived to be men and women. When
Mrs. Strawn, the subject of this memoir, was fifteen years of age,
-she removed with her parents to Indiana and settled on a farm
near Covington, Warren County, where she married James Oxford,
September, 1826. He was born in Ohio. The fruit of this marriage
was two children, viz. : David H. Oxford, who died in 1850, and
Martha, the wife of A. BL Brackett. They re4de in Charles City,
old settlers of Floyd County, Mr. James Oxford died in 1831;
Mrs. Strawn then married Enoch Strawn and they had one daugh-
ter, viz.: Mary E., wife of John Ferguson. They reside in Charles
City, and are old settlers also. Enoch Strawn died in 1854. Mrs.
5trawn then came with her family to Floyd County and purchased
a large tract of Imid in St. Charles, Township. She has since sold
her farms and purchased a nice home in Charles City, where she
resides. Mrs. Strawn is-a member of the Chri-tian church and has
been a member of this church for the past fifty-two years. Mrs.
Strawn is one of the few old settlers now living who came to
Charles City in its infancy. She is now in the seventy-third year
•of her age and looks much younorer.
C. A. Sylvester^ of the firm of Sylvester Bros., manufacturers of
fine carriages, buggies and wagons, blacksmiths and repairers,
Charles City, are among the leading manufacturers of Charles
•Oity. They employ five skilled workmen and warrant all their
work, using the best of material in the factory which they estab-
lished here in 1879. C. A. and Fred Sylvester were sons of August
Jind Minnie (Hoffman) Sylvester, natives of Germany. The father
^as a blacksmith, and he and wife had six children, three sons and
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778 HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
three daughters. C. A. Sylvester, the eldest, was bom Nov. 20,
1854, and Fred was the third son, and was bom Feb. 12, 1856. He
and brother attended school in Germany antil fourteen, when they
learned the blacksmith's trade, continuing until 1872, when they
came with their parents to America. They landed at New York,
and from there came to Floyd County and settled in Charles City.
The father bought a farm and C. A. and Fred began to work at
their trade, and in 1879 opened their present shop. C. A. married
Miss Mary Marcen, Jan. 6, 1879. She was born in Floyd County,
a daughter of John Marcen. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Sylvester have
two children, viz. : Charley and Miss Jessie. Mr. Sylvester and
brother are enterprising, representative men and manufacturers of
Charles City, and their factory is one of the principal features of
the city. They also own and run the Sylvester Bros.' livery stable,
and keep twenty head of horses, carriages and buggies for the ac-
commodation of the public. In politics, independent.
e/. P. Taylor^ President of the Charles City National Bank, has
been prominently identified with the business interests of this city
since OctobcT, 1866. A son of John and Betsey Taylor, nee
Pierce. He was bom in Waterville, Madison County, N. Y., May
5, 1822. His boyhood was spent in Parsalia, Chenango County,
N. Y., to which place his parents had removed when he was about
two years old. He was educated and learned the boot and shoe
trade there, where he remained until twenty-one years of age; then
engaged in the boot aud shoe manufacture at South Otselic, where
he also built and conducted a hotel. He was married Aug. 21,
1848, to Mercelia S. Ford, who was bom in South Otselic, N. Y.,
Aug. 25, 1827, a daughter of Dr.|Norman Ford and Mary, nee Beacb.
In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor moved to Bloomington, 111., where
he engaged in the livery business until 1860, then removed to
Mason City, la. He engaged in farming and in the sale of agri-
cultural implements there until October, 1866, when he settled in
Charles City, and continued the latter business here until 1879. In
March, 1871, he, in company with Charles Siver, organized the First
National Bank, with which he was actively connected until
1875. In 1876 he and S. F. Farnham organized the Charles City
National Bank, of which he has since been President. Mr. and Mrs.
Taylor have had one child, a son — Frank V., born June 25, 1858,
who is bookkeeper and assistant cashier in his father's bank. He
was educated in the common and high schools of this city, and in the
military college of Faribault, Minn. The subject of this memoir
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OHABLSS OTTT. 779
owns niDOtj acres of land in St. Charles Township, and valuable
property in Charles Citj. He is a Mason and a member of the
St. Charles Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 141. He has served accept-
ably in numerous township and coantj offices, amoD^ them that of
School Director and County Supervisor. He was formerly a Whig
in politics, but since the organization of the Republican party has
affiliated with them. He has ever made Charles City's interests
his own, and has been foremost in any project that promised ad-
vancement to her interests morally and financially.
Menezer A. Teding^ miller of the Water-Power Company,
Charles City, is a native of New York, and was born at Green-
bush, Rensselaer, July 30, 1832, a son of Charles and Susan (Cran-
dall) Teeling. His father was born at Teeling's Baj, Donegal
County, Ireland, where he was married, and soon after, in 1830,
came to America; they located in East Troy, N* Y., and subse-
quently removed to Greenbush. They were members of the Presby-
terian church and had a family of five sons and five daughters,
Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest. He resided
in Greenbush, and attended school at Albany, N. Y., until sixteen;
then learned the miller's trade, which he followed in Albany and
New York City until twenty-one, when he came to Watertown,
Wis., and worked in a mill one year; thence to Stoughton, Dane
County, Wis., and worked at his trade until April, 1856, when he
came to Charles City, la. He was employed in the first mill in
the county, and worked here and held the office of Assistant Dep-
uty SheriflF of Floyd County until 1862, when he was a]ipointed
Special Agent, Deputy Provost Marshal to the War Department,
and held that office until the fall of 1865, when he was mustered
out; he then ran the mill until January, 1868, when he was elected
Clerk of the District Court, and held that office until 1871, then re-
sumed his former business and ran this mill until it was torn down
in 1876; since then has been miller in the present new mill. Mr.
Teeling has been in the employ of the Water-Power Company
since they purchased the water-power. Ht married Ellen Ingram,
Aug. 18, 1860, at Charles City, la.; she was born at Fairfield, Vt.,
and was a daughter of Henry and Ann (Sharkey) Ingram, natives
of Ireland, and members of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs.
Teeling are members of the Congregational church, and have had
two children, viz.: Clara J., born May 16, 1861, and Jessie, Dec.
30, 1870. Mr. Teeling is one of the oldest settlers now living in
Floyd County; he came to Charles City when it was in its infancy.
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780 HISTORY OP FLOYD OOUKTY.
and has seen its rapid growth. In politicis he is a Republican,
and is one of the enterprising representative men of Charles City,
where he has been identified since 1856; he was formerly a mem-
ber of I. O. O. F., and at present a member of the Good Tem-
plars Society, and was one of the first that organized this lodge;
he is at present Alderman of the Fourth Ward, and voted for the
amendment in 1882, and presented the present prohibition ordi-
nance of Charles City in April, 1882.
Joseph S. Trigg, Mayor of Charles City, and partner in the firm
of White, Trigg & Co., proprietors of the Elm Spring Creamery,
18 a native of Hertfordshire, England, born April 8, 1841. His
parents, Joseph S. Trigg, Sr., and Susannah, nee Wilkerson, were
likewise of English nativity, and had a family of six sons and three
daughters, of whom Joseph S., Jr., was the eldest. He received
his education in his native shire, and when twelve years of age
came with his parents to the United States, landing in New York
City, thence to Fond du Lac, Wis. They engaged in farming there
until 1859, then removed to Freeborn, Minn., and settled on a
farm. In August, 1862, Mr. Trigg enlisted in Company E, Tenth
Minnesota Infantry, and bravely defended his country's cause until
the close of the war, when he was mustered out at M(!mphi8, Tenn.
He returned to Fond dn Lac and was there married on Oct. 3, 1865,
to Laura M. Spafford, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of
David and Olive Spaflford. Five children have been born unto
them — Mabel E., Gertrude L., Olive B., Frank E., and Elsie L.
After his marriage Mr. Trigg settled on a farm* in Freeborn
County, Minn., where he resided until 1870, when he located in
Floyd County. He farmed in St. Charles Township, until he was
appointed Deputy Gaiinty Auditor in January, 1872. InApril,l874,
he was elected Auditor of Floyd County, and by subsequent elec-
tion held the office until January, 1882, and the following April
was elected Mayor of Charles City, for which position he lias
shown himself to be eminently fitted. He is a member of Charles
City Lodge, No. 153, A. .0. U. W., and politically favors the
Republican party. The Elm Springs Creamery was established in
May, 1880, by H. D. White and J. S. Trigg, the present owners.
The creamery has a capacity of manufacturing 2,100 pounds of
butter and 1,500 pounds of cheese daily. They have $5,000
invested in the building, machinery, etc., and the cost oF operation
is about $200 per day. It is one of the principal manufactories of
the city, giving direct employment to fourteen men. The butter,
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0HABLB8 onr. 781
owing to its snperior quality is greatly in demand in the Eastern
markets, while the cheese finds a ready sale at home.
W. O. Tripp^ of the firm of W. G. Tripp & Co., dealers in
groceries and drugs, Charles City, was born in the town of De Buy-
ter, Madison County, N. Y., on Nov. 13, 1839. His parents were
Israel and Eliza A. (Whitcomb) Tripp, he a native of New York,
and she of Vermont State. They were members of the Presbyte-
rian church and had a family of three children, of whom the sub-
ject of this sketch was the eldest. When he was foui* years old
his parents moved to Boone County, 111., and he attended school
there and at Belvidere, 111., until he was seventeen years old, and
then clerked for different parties in Belvidere until 1860, when he
went to Colorado and engaged in mining there two years. From
there he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was chief clerk in the
Government ordnance department two years, then returned to
Belvidere, Dl. He engaged in mercantile business there until
the spring of 1867, when he came to Charles City and embarked
in his present business. He is the recipient of a large and lucra-
tive trade, and is classed with the prominent and influenti>il busi-
ness men of this city. On June 10, 1868, Mr. Tripp was united in
marriage with Mary A. Gardner, at Belvidere, III., where she was
bom. Her father, Cephas Gardner, was a native of Yermont.
They have one child, a daughter, Alice G., bom Aug. 21, 1872.
Mr. Tripp is a Mason and a member of St. Charles Lodge, No. 141,
and Almond Chapter, No. 63. Politically, he is a Republican.
He was elected a member of the City Board in March, 1882.
Waldo Wait^ retired farmer, residing in Charles City, is one of
the old settlers of Floyd County. He was born in Hebron, Wash-
ington County, N. Y., April 13, 1801. His parents were Benjamin
and AI^l (Waldo) Wait; he wad a native of Rhode Island, and
she of Connecticut. They were both members of the Baptist church,
and had a family of seven sons and six daughters. "Waldo, sub-
ject of this sketch, and one sister were twins, and the youngest of
the family. There are but two of the family now living, viz. : Archi-
bald Wait, a retired Baptist minister, residing in Chicago, 111.,
and Waldo, subject of this memoir. He attended school in
Hebron, N.Y., until fifteen, when he removed with his parents to a
small village near Auburn, N. Y., for two years; then to Leeds
County, Canada West, and they settled on a tarm twelve miles
north of Brockville. Waldo was married here to Miss Rose Duck-
48 t
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782 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Ion, May 22, 1826; she was born in Elizabethtown, Leeds Conniy,
Canada West, Oct. 10, 1810; she was a daughter of Stephen and
Harriet (Freell) Ducklon. Mr. and Mrs. Wait resided on their
farm in Canada until the fall of 1856, when they came to Floyd
County, la., and soon after purchased a farm in St. Charles Town-
ship, where they resided until 1865, when Mr. Wait sold his farm
and purchased a home in Charles City, where he has since lived,
retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Wait are members of
the Baptist church and have been members of this church for the
past fifty years. They have had two sons, viz. : William H. , born in
Canada West, July 21, 1845 ; he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth
T^owa Infantry Volunteer-*, and died May 9, 1864, from disease con-
tracted during his service in the army. Henry M. Wait was bom
in Canada West, May 20, 1851; he married Miss Ida Pratt They
reside in Charles City and have had three children, viz. : Howard
W., Henry W., and Miss Mamie Wait. Mr. and Mrs. Waldo
Wait are of a few old settlers now living. They came to Charles
City when it was in its infancy, and have lived to see the various
changes of the county and city since that time; they are true rep-
resentatives of Floyd County pioneers.
H, D. White, of the firm of White, Trigg & Co., proprietors of the
Elm Spring Creamery, Charles City, is a native of New York, and
was bom m Groton, Tompkins County, June 6, 1852. His parents
were M. C. and Philena (Ingram) White, natives of Massachusetts.
She was a member of the Baptist church. They had a family of
seven children, six sons and one daughter. The subject of this
sketch was the youngest, and when five years of age he removed
with his parents from New York to Kenosha County, Wis., settling
on a farm near Kenosha. He attended school and worked on his
father's farm, also learning the cheese and butter manufacture,
and during this time he made some cheese that took the medal at
the Centennial of 1876. When eighteen years of age he took
charge of different cheese factories of Wisconsin, until 1877, when
he came to Algona, Kossuth County, la., and was superintendent
of eight cheese factories of that county, until the spring of 1880,
when he came to Charles City, la, and established his present
business. Mr. White married Miss Jennie E. Ferguson, at Charles
City, la., Nov. 5, 1879; she ^was born at Fort Atkinson, la.,
a daughter of D. M. Ferguson, ex-SheriflF of Floyd County,
and proprietor of the Lewis House, Charles City, and Malinda
(Franz) Ferguson. Mr. White is a member of the Iowa Le-
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OHABLBS OITT. 78S
gion of Honor, and he and his wife have one daughter — ^Edna
T., bom July 15, 1880. Mr. White is one of the leading manu-
facturers of Charles Citj. In politics he is a Republican. His
family are of the old Puritan stock, his father being a descendant of
Peregrine White, who came from England in the ^'Mayflower" and
landed at Plymouth Rock. Mr. White's grandfather was in the
war of 1812.
B. B. WildOfij proprietor of the Charles City Foundry, estab-
lished his present business in 1877. The foundry was first started
by WooUey & Snyder in connection with their plow factory. It
is a building 100 feet long, the main room, blacksmith and
carpenter shops being 38 x 36 feet, two stories in height, and the
machine shops 26 x 24 feet, two stories, and the molding-rooin
36x 26 feet. This is the first and only foundry in the city, and is
one of the leading manufacturing interests. R. B. Wilson is a
native of Vermont, and was bom in Hinesburg, Miy 3, 1844. His
parents were Gteorge W. and Mary (Oucher) Wilson; he was a
native of Massachusetts, and was born at Concord, Middlesex
County, and she was born in France. They had one son, viz. :
R. B. Wilson, subject of this sketch. He was but eighteen months
old when his mother died; he then went {o live with his grand-
parents near Montreal, Canada, until five years of age, when he
went to live with his father, who was a woolen manufacturer.
They traveled over the New England States, and settled at West-
field, N. Y., in 1851, where his father engaged in various pur-
suits. R. B., attended school until seventeen, when he enlisted
in Company G, Seventy- second New York Infantry Volunteers;
was mustered into United States service July 25, 1861, in what was
called Sickles' Brigade. Mr. Wilson remained in that company
until expiration of his term of service,, when he was mustered
out at Washington. He was wounded at the battle of Williams-
burg, Va., May 5, 1862 — a compound fracture of the right arm,
the ball passing into the right side, where it still remains; another
ball struck the right shoulder blade, and another passed under his
chin, cutting the fiesh from the chin and passing through his neck,
coming out close to the jugular vein. He was in the hospital at
Fortress Monroe and Philadelphia, Pa., returning to his regiment
the summer of 1863. He was then transferred to the Regimental
Quartermaster's Department; then in January of 1864 was trans-
ferred to the Nineteenth Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, doing
duty in the City of Washington until he was mustered out; he then
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784 HI8TOBY OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
went to Westtield, N. Y., and began to learn his trade; worked in
Western New York until August, 1868, when he came to Osage,'
Mitchell County, la., and remained in this vicinity until 1877,
when he located in Charles City, and established his present busi-
ness. Mr. Wilson married Miss Alzina M. Frazier at Hampton,
Franklin County, la., Jan. 1, 1873; she was born in Allamakee
County, la. ; she was a daughter of D. D. Frazier, a farmer. Mrs.
Wilson is a member of the M. E. church, Charles City. Mr. and
Mrs. Wilson have one daughter, viz.: Miss C. Buena Wilson. Mr.
Wflson is a member of National Lodge, No. 165, I. O. O. F., at
Charles City, la. ; Legion of Honor, Hope Lodge, No. 76. In poli-
tics Mr. Wilson is a Republican. He is of Scotch and French descent
He is one of the enterprising, representative men and leading
manufacturers of Charles City, where he has been identified since
1877.
F» R. Woolleyy senior partner in the Charles City Plow Com-
pany, is a native of the town of Weathersfield, Rutland County,
Vt, born Dec. 23, 1826, a son of John B. and Annis Woolley, nee
Rice, also natives of the Green Mountain State. His father was a
blacksmith and manufacturer of all kinds of edge tools; he died in
1849 in his sixtieth year. ^ F. R. was the fourth son of a family of
seven children, and when he was some five years old his parents
removed to Genesee County, N. Y.; thence to Cattaraugus County,
and from there to Trumbull County, O. F. R. resided there until
1853, when he went to Rockford, LI.; manufactured sickles
and machinists' tools there until the fall of 1855, and in the spring
of 1856 he located in Charles City, la. ; he worked at the black-
smith's trade here until 1859, when he engaged in the manufacture
of plows; he built a factory in 1862, which he operated until 1876,
when the present establishment was erected. Owing to the rapid
increase of their business the company are building a much larger
factory, wherein they can meet the demand of their extensive
trade. Mr. Woolley was united in marriage in September, 1849,
to Ammy Hull, who was born in Chenan<^o County, N. Y., and
was a daughter of Joseph and Mercy Hull, nee Briggs. They have
one child, a daughter, Grace, wife of George M. May, who is work-
man of the furniture manufactory of this city. Mr. Woolley is one
of the early settlers of Floyd County^ and has ever been active in
the advancement of her interests, morally and financially* He
■"adheres to the principles of the Republican party.
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OHABLBS orrr. 785
E, B, 0. Wright^ retired merchant, Charles City, is a native of
Ohio, and was born in Vernon Township, Trumbull County, May
23, 1824. His parents were Adam and Rhoda (Clark) Wright;
he was a native of Mercer, Mercer County, Pa., and was a merchant,
and opened the first store in Vernon Townehip, Ohio; she was a
native of Connecticut, born in 1800, and a member of the Baptist
church. They were married in 1818, and had a family of twelve
children. E. B. C, subject of this sketch, was the eldest son. He
attended school in Vernon, Ohio, until twelve years of age, when
his parents emigrated to Burlington, la., where his father died
nine years later, and his mother returned to Ohio. E. B. C. re-
mained in Burlington, clerking and attending school until twenty-
three, when he returned to Ohio, and taught school until 1849, and
in that year went to the city ot New York, and engaged in the
mercantile business until 1857, when he came to Charles City. In
company with H. W. McNabb, a retired merchant of Osage,
Mitchell County, bought out John Ferguson & Co., and engaged
in the mercantile business until 1863, when he went to New York
City. He was married there to Mrs. Caroline Mann, on Feb. 11,
1863; her maiden name was Caroline Barringer. Mr. "Wright en-
gaged in the mercantile trade in New York City until 1^70,
when he returned to Charles City, and he and his brother, B. F.
Wright, engaged in the mercantile trade until 1872, then Mr. E.
B. C. Wright ran the store alone until 1879, when he closed out his
business, and took the agency for canvassing the whole Northwest
for the National Needle Co., of Springfield, Mass., the largest
manufacturers of sewing-machine needles in the world. Mrs.
Wright is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Wright is a
charter member of St. Charles Lodge, A. F. <fe A. M .. No. 141, and
has been Master a number of years, and was the founder of the
order of the Eastern Star, Excelsior Chapter. Ho fs one of the old •
settlers of Charles City and the State of Iowa, having been identified
with the State sinccNMarch, 1836, and Floyd County since 1867.
He is one of the representative business men, and has always taken
an active interest in anything that promises progression to the
town. In politics he is a Democrat, and a strong supporter of that
party. He is of German descent. There are but three brothers
and two sisters living, viz.: subject of this sketch; Mrs. H. W.
McNabb, of Osage, Mitchell County, la. ; Mrs. E. A. Mann, of
New York City; B. F. Wright, Postmaster of Charles City, and
J. Z. Wright, farmer of Floyd County.
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786 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
B. F. Wright. — ^Among the widely known men of the county is B.
F. Wright, Postmaster of Charles City, who has had the position
since October, 1869. But few men are so universally known in
the county, and he has of late years acquired a State acquaintance by
reason of his prominent association with the "prohibitory amend-
ment'* Mr. "Wright is the third son of Adam and Rhoda Wright,
and was born in Vernon, Vernon Township, Trumbull County, O.,
Aug. 20, 1837. His father was of German descent, whilst his mother
was of the old Connecticut Yankee blood. In appearance the sui>-
ject of our sketch is decidedly German; height, five feet ten inches,
stockey, stout, portly, weighing 245 pounds, whilst in mental quali-
ties he displays those powers that have made Yankeedom famous.
The family came to Burlington, la., in 1838. After the death of
his father in 1843, the family returned to Vernon, O. Frank lived
with his uncle, Aaron Clark, in Bloomfield, Hartford, and Vernon,
until 1849, when it was arranged that he should live with his uncle,
Henry Vernon, in West Williamsfield, O., until he was of age.
His mother died in 1852, when Frank, through the assistance of his
older brother, E. B. C. Wright, became a pupil of the Meadville
Academy, Pennsylvania, and attended for several terms the
Allegheny College at that place. He taught two terms of school,
one at Lane's Corners and one at Randall's Comers, in Crawford
County, Pa.
In the spring of 1856 he went to New York City and engaged
with Rockwell & Winton in a hat and cap house, with whom he
remained until May 7, 1857, when he reached Charles City and
entered the employ of John Ferguson & Co., with whom ho had
made business arrangements before leaving the East. The mer-
cantile house of J. Ferguson & Co. was soon succeeded by the
firm of Wright & McNabb, and B. F. was long identified with the
mercantile interest of Charles City, up to 1872, since which time
• he has given his time to Ids official duties and the development ol
a stock farm in Pleasant Grove Township, in company with hi^
younger brother, J. Z. Wright.
In every development of the city and county Mr. Wright has
taken an active and prominent part, and is said by all to be a fast
friend and vigorous opponent of the Ben. Wade order. The
adoption by 30,000 majority of the prohibitory amendment to the
constitution of Iowa by its electors, June 27, 1882, is undoubtedly
the most remarkable event in the line of prohibitory temperance
which has ever occurred. Its praises are sung in churches and
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OHABLES OITY. 787
schools; its triumph is published from thousands of eloquent ros-
trums, while family and pulpit altars will never cease to ^'Praise
God from whom all blessings flow^' for its adoption. To those
who conceived, planned and executed this great measure the pub-
lic are interested in knowing the details of the work.
In August, 1878, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, widely known in Iowa as
the head of the W. C. T. U., was conducting a Congressional ses*
sion of that temperance organization in Charles City, and while
the guest of Rev. A. N. Clute, of that place, Mr. Wright called
upon her and endeavored to interest her in the matter of uniting
all temperance efforts of the State in the single line of amending
its Constitution. At first she was not favorably inclined to
the project, but subsequently changed her mind. Mrs. Foster,
in the December State session of the W. C. T. U., at Bur-
lington, as their chairman on the legal phases of the^question,
presented the new idea of a constitutional amendment, bnt stated
in her able report that she '' did not claim it as original, as it had
been first suggested to her by a gentleman in Floyd County."
Up to this date the matter had received but little public agita*
tion.
In February, 1879, Mr. Wright attended the State Reform meet-
ing at Waterloo, and in a series of resolutions urged as the plan ot
work the constitutional amendment. His address on that occasion,
the great debate of the convention on the subject, and their prac-
tical adoption of the scheme, had the effect of bringing the project
prominently into newspaper discussion of the State, especially in
the Dubuque Daily TtmeSj edited by M. C. Woodruff, and
the Iowa State Register^ by the Clarkson brothers.
In 1879, at the Republican State Convention, Mr. Wright, in
company with Col. Nate Reed, who at that time was editor of the
Northwestern, Newa^ at Davenport, and now editor of the JBhening
News in Chicago, secured a suite of rooms at the Abom House, in
the city of Des Moines, and began a systematic effort of consulta-
tion with every prohibitionist on ever^ county delegation from all
parts of the State. Hon. John H. Geer was a candidate for re-
nomination for Governor by the Republican Convention. In the
previous election he received a majority vote, and desiring to be
U. S. Senator, he was most anxions to fill the execntive office by a
clear majority vote of the State, and greatly desired that the tem-
perance element of his party should be harmonized and reconciled.
Mr. Wright sought an interview with the Governor, and secured
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788 HISTOBY OF FLOYD OOUHTY.
in him a staunch ally for declaring in favor of a non-partisan vote
to be taken on a prohibitory amendment
The eleventh plank of the Eepublican platform of Iowa was
sabstantially adopted and framed at a caacas of the temperance
element of the Republican party in that suit of rooms, and B. F.
Wright was the chairman and Nate Beed the secretary of that
caucus. The plank was unanimously adopted the next day by the
Republican Convention. The temperance hosts of Iowa have had
a State temperance committee patterned after the Republican and
Democratic parties, a member in every Congressional district.
Aaron Kimball, of Cresco; B. F. Wright, of Charles City, and J.
A. Harvey, of Des Moines, have been tor two years respectively
President, Secretary and Treasurer, and the newspapers of the State
have spoken of Mr. Wright as the father of, the late prohibitory
amendment.
4^. P. Teomana^ M. i?., Charles City, is a native of New York
and was born in German Flats, Herkimer County, Jan. 23, 1822.
His parents were Prentice and Margaret (McEinney) Yeomans,
natives of Connecticut and members of the Universalist church.
They have a large family of children, 8. P., subject of this sketch,
being the youngest son. In 1837, when fifteen years of age, he
came to Iowa; crossed the Mississippi River at Fort Madison, and
settled near Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, where he followed farm-
ing, and attending and teaching school until eighteen, when he began
to study medicine with Dr. J. D. Payne, at Mt. Pleasant, and grad-
uated at the Rush Medical College, at Chicago, in 1854. He then
practiced medicine at Agency City, Wapello County, and Sheridan,
Lucas County, la., and was elected to the Legislature from Lucas
County in 1854. In 1855 he was appointed United States Register
of the land oflSce at Sioux City, by Pierce, and reappointed by
Buchanan, and held that office six years. 4t the outbreaking of
the Rebellion he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Seventh
Regiment Iowa Cavalry, and remained with them until the close of
the war; he then went to Clinton, la., and practiced medicine
until 1879, when he came to Charles City, where he has practiced
since. He married Clara Yale in November, 1840. She was born
in Vermont, and was a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College*
of Chicago, in 1870, and has practiced medicine since. Dr. Yeo-
mans and wife are members of the M. £. church, and have had
six children, two living viz.: Margaret S,^ wife of Kev. N. O. Mo-
Niff, of Minnesota Conference, and Gteorge W., an attorney at
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0HABLB8 omr. 79^
Clinton, Iowa. Dr. Yeomans is a Maeon, and was formerly a
member of Olive Branch Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Agency City, and
member of chapter at Sioux Oity. He is one of the leading
physicans of Floyd County. In politics he is a Republican. In
1861 he also graduated from the Hahnemann College, Chicago.
He is a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, of Homeo-
pathic physicians.
Professor James O. Yooum^ Superintendent of Charles City
schools, is a native of Ohio, and was bom in Mansfield, Ashland
County, March 4, 1838. His parents were Elmore and Jane
(Cameron) Yocum; he was a native of Pennsylvania, and a mem-
ber of the Methodist church, and now resides at Sparta, Wis.;
she was a native of Ohio, and also a member of the Methodist
church. They had a I'amily of three sons and two daughters.
James C, subject of this sketch, was the eldest child. When three
years of age he removed with his parents to Wooster, O., re-
maining there six years; thence to Sydney, Shelby County, and
two years afterward to Delaware, Delaware County, O. Jamea
attended the preparatory department of the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity one year; then removed to Piatt ville. Wis., and entered
the Plattville Academy, prosecuting hid studies there four years;
then removed to Appleton, Wis., and attended Lawrence Uni-
versity four years; then spent two years in the New England
Conservatory at Boston, Mass. He taught instrumental and vocal
music in Wisconsin two years; then took charge of the Mount
Hope, Wis., Seminary one year, and of the Bamson Collegiate
Institute at Point Bluff, Wis., three years, and was for several
years County Superintendent of Schools in Adaras County, Wis.
He was then appointed Principal of the Lodi, Wis., graded
school, remaining there five years; thence to Boscobel graded
school, at Boscobel, Wis., for two years; then came to Charles
City, to accept his present position as Superintendent of Schools.
He has charge of twelve schools, employing f >nrteen teachers. It
was the Professor's intention to devote himself to the etndy of
music, but, circumstances preventing, he abandoned that, confin-
ing himself to teaching in the public schools. Professor yocuin
married Miss Mary Moore, at Point Bluff, Wis., Dec. 20, 1862;
she was bom at Zanesville, O.^ and was a daughter of Amos and
Julia (Rice) Moore. Mrs. Yocum died in July, 1863. Mr. Yocum
married Miss Maria Newell, at Baraboo, Wis., May, 1864; she was
bom in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Orange Newell and
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Y90 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Anna (Woodmasee) Newell, natives of PeDnsjlvania, and mem-
bers of the Methodist cliurch. Mr. and Mrs. Tocam are members
of the Methodist chnrch, and have had four sons and three daagh-
tens, viz.: Genevieve, born July 15, 1865; Winifred, bom March
9, 1867; Charles E., born May 23, 1870; Jessamine, bom Aug. 6,
1874; James F., born Dec. 18, 1875; Donald C. and Wilbur F.,
bom Jan. 18, 1882. Professor Yocum is a member of the
I. O. O. F. fraternity, Charles City National Lodge, No. 165, and
Oood Templars Lodge, No. 4, and V. A. S. fraternity He is one
of the enterprising, representative men and citizens of Charles
City, where he has been identified since 1876. In politics a Re-
publican. He is of Scotch and German descent.
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CEDAR TOWNSHIP
is located in the northeast corner of the county. It is peculiarly
situated, being only three miles wide and ten miles long. Tliere are
thirty-two full sections, two sections being added from the town of
Floyd. It is range 96 — 16, and 97 — 16 west. It was organized
March SI, 1866. The reason for this shaping of the town was to
locate two county seats, one at Charles City and one at Osage,
Mitchell County. The name of the township was taken from the
fact tlmt Little Cedar Biver runs through the central part of the
township. This stream and its tributaries drain and water the
township. The surface of the land in the western portion is con-
siderably broken; the eastern part being generally level, it is held,
principally, by speculators. The western portion is covered more
frequently with jack-oak groves, and 19 generally well tilled, beino^
settled by New York State, Wisconsin, Illinois and English people,
who make a success of whatever they undertake. The first set-
tlers were J. C. Townsend, Elbert Howard, and S. M. Howard,
who came here in the spring of 1854. Sarah Howard, the youngest
daughter of Elbert, came with them, and for six months was the
only woman in the settlement. These were also early settlers:
W. B. Howard, Uncle Sam Howard, Levi Hoisington and his
brothers, Phineas and William ;Eli8ha and David Crawford, Sam-
uel Clay, Isaac Naden, Mother Bennett and her family, Mother
Walling and her family, William Scherinerhorn and A. C. Will-
iams. The first school was kept in the house of W. B. Howard,
in the winter of 1856 and 1857. The school numbered about
twenty-five pupils, and was taught by Joseph Allen, a red-headed
young man from Chickasaw. Jerome Townsend and his sister,
Lavina, came three miles to this school. There are seven school-
houses in the township. The school property is worth about
$4,600. The number ofchildren of school age, Sept. 1, 1881, was 190.
The average daily attendance for the year 1881, was only sixty-three.
There has been schools in each district seven and one-half months
on an average the past year. The total amount paid teachers for
4he last year was $1,302.05, or an average of $22.63 per month per
teacher. There was only one male teacher for the year ending
(791)
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793
HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Sept. 80, 1881. The total receipts of money for school parposes for
the year 1881 was $2,088.90. There was a balance in the treasury
of $444.15. The present year there will be a tax levied to pay for
a new school bnilding in District No. 7. The people of this town-
ship take a lively interest in school matters, and there is a deter-
mination to see that the rising generation shall be worthy to fill the
place of the present one and to do their work even better. The
first religious services were held in the house of Elbert Howard;
Rev. Samuel Smith, of the Wesleyan Methodist persuasion, was the
preacher. There are two church organizations in the township at the
present time, the M. £. and the Wesleyan Methodist; but there is
no edified in the township. Each society has regular preaching
in school-houses, once in two weeks. Each church has a Sabbath-
school in connection with its meetings. The HowardvillS Union
Sabbath-school organized by the Wesleyan Methodists, is in a flour-
ishing condition. It was organized in 1855, and has been kept run-
ning ever since. The first superintendent was Lucien Hoisington.
He died in the army and was much respected by all who knew him.
The present superintendent is Charles Lewis. The school numbers
from forty to fifty scholars. The following were the first ofScera
of the township: David Crawford, J. B. Dawley and X. D. Hois-
ington. Trustees; W. B. Howard, Clerk; S. M. Howard, Assessor;
Isaac Naden and J. C. Townsend, Justices of the Peace; Elisha
Crawford and PhineasHoisington, Constables; A. C. Williams,
Boad Superintendent.
The present officers of the township are: Clerk, Addis Scher-
merhom; Trustees, Samuel Clay, William Boyer, 8r., and Paul
Tibeau; Assessor, P. P. Cole; Justices of the Peace, W. B. Towner
and S.F. Ferguson.
The teachers and number of scholars in attendance last spring
term in this township will be seen in the following table:
DiSTRIOT NUMBBB.
Enboll-
MBNT.
Tbachbr.
Loth, of School
District No. 1
18
10
18
16
16
13
9
Nettie Hamer.
Kate HisiDgton.
Clara Clay.
8. A. Tavlor.
Neba Schermerhom.
W. A. Wilbur.
Kate Byrne.
14 weeks.
District No. 2
14 weeks.
District No. 8
14 weeks.
District No. 4
District No. 5
14 weeks.
18 weeks.
District No S . .'
18 weeks.
District No. 7
12 weeks.
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OBDAB TOWNSHIP. 79S
BIOORAPHIOAL.
Joseph Z. AthertOTty farmer; P. O., Stillwater; son of Ozias and
Lydia (Pearsons) Atherton, natives of Massachusetts and Yermont,
respectively; they died in Vermont Joseph L. was bom in Ver-
mont, Sept. 10, 1815, where he was educated, and followed farming
nntil he came to Iowa, in 1858; he now owns 400 acres of fine land on
section 29, Cedar, and section 28, Floyd, townships; his home is in
Oedar, where he has fine buildings and pleasant surroundings. In
1840 he married Lucy B., daughter of Gardner and Betsey (Proctor)
Adams; she was bom in Vermont, Feb. 12, 1824. This union has
been blessed with four childiien — Ella A., born Aug. 26, 1841,
wife of John Q. Adams, of Mitchell County, la. ; Edgar F., bora
Mar. 23, 1845, married and living in Charles City; Eddie B., bom
Dec. 28, 1859; Walter E., born June 10, 1862. Mrs. Atherton is a
member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Atherton votes the Re-
publican ticket.
fV. H. Ballardy farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Charles City;
son of Thomas and Ann (Bennett) Ballard, natives of England.
They came to the United States about 1829, and located in Troy,
where they lived a short time; then moved near Buffalo, and lived
ihree and a half years; then came to Chicago. He built the first
frame house there ; he died in Lake County, 111., in 1851. Mrs. Ballard
died in Floyd County in 1873. W. H. was born in Chicago, Jnly
5, 1834, and is one of the first white children born there. In 1863
he came to Iowa and bought a farm, and now owns 12&| acres of
laud on section 25, which he has in a good state of cnltivation. In
1861 he married Melinda A., daughter of Ephraim and Nancy
(Irving) Bruce, natives of Vermont. They came to Iowa, and now
live with W.fl. Ballard. Mr. Ballard and wife have been blessed
with seven children, six living — George H., bom Mar. 4, 1863;
Annette, April 20, 1864;. Edith, Aug. 20, 1865; Nellie, Jan. 29,
1871; Mary, Oct. 22, 1873. died Sept. 10, 1875; Alida, born
Peb. 23, 1878, and a baby boy, born May 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs.
Ballard are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Mr.
Ballard votes the Republican ticket. He deals in fine stock consid-
erably, Norman and Clydesdale being his fancy.
George Bennett j farmer; postoffice, orchard; son of Stephen
and Betsey (Knickerbacker) Bennett, natives of New York. George
was born in Lake County, 111., Dec. 14, 1844; he was educated in
Iowa, where the family moved in 1855. Mr. Bennett has followed
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TM HI8T0BY OF FLOTD 00UNT7.
farming and now owns 228 1-3 acres on sections 22 and 27, Oedar
Township — which is finely cultivated. In 1872 he married Jemie
L., daughter of Theodore and Jane Wilson, natives of New York
and New Hampshire respectively. By this nnion there are three
children — Bessie A., born Sept. 16, 1876; Emma Louisa, Aug. 29,
1878; Samuel Wilson, March 9, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are
members of the Weslejan Methodist church. He votes the Repub-
lican ticket. Mr. Bennett is paying considerable attention to fine
stock; the Clydesdale is his specialty.
Samuel Bennett^ farmer; postoffice, Charles City; son of Stephen
and Betsey (Knickerbacker) Bennett, natives of Dutchess County,
N. Y. Samuel was born in Illinois, Nov. 10, 1840, where he was
educated. In 1855 he came to Iowa. He has followed farming and
now owns 218 acres of finely improved land on sections 26 and 35.
In 1861 he married Sarah, daughter of Israel and Mary (Warren)
Walling, natives of New York; they came to Iowa at an early day,
where Mrs. Walling died. Mrs. Bennett was l>orn in New ifork
in 1844; by this union, there are two children — Stephen Curtis,
bom April 11, 1864, and Mary Frances, Oct. 30, 1871. Mr. and
Mrs. Bennett are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church.
He votes the Republican ticket.
William Bleckly^ farmer and baker; postofiice, Charles City; was
born in England, April 21,1814; he was educated there and learned
the trade of a baker, which he worked at until he came to the
United States, in 1846; he bought a farm in Wisconsin where he lived
nineteen years; he then came to Iowa and bought his present farm
of 160 acres on section 80, where he now lives. He now owns
eighty acres, having given his boh eighty acres of the original farm.
His house was struck by a cyclone on the 17th of July, entirely
demolishing the greater part of it, carrying fragments eighty rods
away, distributing a cook stove for ten rods, tearing up apple-trees
and destroying everything in its way. In 1839 he married Maria,
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Edwards, natives of England,
where they died. By this union there have been six children, five
living— Ellen, bom Feb. 6, 1841, wife of John Bloomhall, of Dakota;
Carrie, born Feb. 14, 1842, wife of George Boyer, of Dakota;
George, born Sept. 19, 1843, married; Eate, born Sept. 9, 1845, wife
of Frank Houghy; Eliza Ann, born Dec. 6, 1847, wife of R. W.
Town, of Dakota. The first four were bom in England ; Eliza Ann,
in Dane County, Wis. Mr. Bleckly and family are members of
the M. R church. Mr. Bleckly votes the Eepublican ticket.
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OEDAB TOWNSHIP. 795
William Boy&r^ farilfer ; P. O. , Charles City; son of Samael and
Jane (Boyer) Boyer, natives of England, where they died. Will-
iam was born Jnne 30, 1823, and educated in England. He worked
in a chemical laboratory until he came to the United States, in
1846. He located in Dane County, Wis., coming out with what
was then known as the " British Temperance Emigration Society,'*
which soon broke up. Mr. Boyer purchased a farm, and has fol-
lowed this occupation, living in Wisconsin until January, 1867, when
he came to Iowa, purchasing 245 acres of fine land on section 30.
He has sold a portion, and now owns 165 acres of finely cultivated
land and a good home. In 1842 he married Mary, daughter ot
John and Mary (Tyson) Lowndes, of England, where they died.
Mary was born Aug. 11, 1822. This union has been blessed with
ten children, eight living — George, born July 20, 1843, married,
pnd living in Dakota; Mary Jane, born Oct. 19, 1845, died May
31, 1847; G. L., bom Feb. 25, 1849, married, and living in Da-
kota; Olive Melissa, born May 24, 1851, wife of Levi Pierce, living
in Dakota; Martha Ann, bom Nov. 14, 1853, wife of W. H. Hill,
living in Dakota; William, born May 24, 1856, married and living
in Dakota; Mary, wife of S. B. Langhlyi, of Dakota, was bom
April 18, 1858; 0. W., bora Dec. 13, 1860, living in Dakota;
R. F., Aug. 19, 1863; one child died in infancy. Mr. Boyer
and all his family are members of the M. E. church, in which he
is a local deacon, and supplies Orchard Circuit. He has held many
of the township offices, and is at present one of the Trustees. He
votes the Republican ticket. He is one of the substantial and re-
liable men of Floyd County.
Samuel Clay^ farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Orchard Station,
Mitchell County. Mr. Clay is the fourth child of his father's
family of fourteen children. He was bom in England, Jan. 5,
1830, and remained there until his twenty-second year; then came
to the United States, and located in Illinois, where he remained
three years; then came to Iowa and entered a quarter section of
his present homestead. He now owns 545 acres of excellent land
on sections 21, 22 and 27, all under an excellent state of cultiva.
tion. Mr. Clay has been an extensive grain-raiser, but recently
has changed his manner of farming, and is giving much attention
to fine stock; Norman and Clydesdale horses are his specialty; he
has several of the best of these horses to be found in the county,
and persons desiring to improve their stock should examine hia
before purchasing. In 1852 he married Mary Ann Landon, a native
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T96 mSTOBT OF flotd oountt.
of the north of Ireland, where her parents still live. Three chil-
dren bleseed this nnion — Ada Alberta, wife of Oharles Enowlton,
of Floyd Township; Herbert Harrison, living in Idaho, and John
William. Mrs. Clay died in 1857. Mr. Clay married, in 1868,
Bosetta, daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Workman) Shaw, natives
of England, where they died. Mrs. Clay was born in England,
Oct. 19, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Clay have been blessed with a family
of four children — Clara Jane, born 1859; Mary Ann, born 1861;
Henry W., born 1864; Katie, born 1866. Mr. Clay has held
many of the township offices, and has faithfally discharged all the
duties thereof, atid is one of the prominent and respected citizens
of Floyd County. He votes the Bepublican ticket
P. P. Cole^ farmer; P. O., Charles City; son of Raphael and
Aurelia (Lewis) Cole, natives of Vermont. They moved to Penn-
sylvania, where they lived some time, and in 1846 came to Wis-
consin, and bought a farm, where they lived until 1876, when they
<came to Iowa, and located in Cedar Township; they now live in
Oharles City. P. P. was born in Pennsylvania, July 21, 1886,
where he lived until ten years of age, then with his parents came
to Wisconsin, where he w^ educated. He has always followed a
farm life, and in 1874 came to Iowa, and bought his present farm
of 145 acres, on sections 2 and 35, Cedar Township, which is finely
cultivated. In 1867 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward
and Harriet (Goldeu) Darby, natives of England. At an early
4ate they moved to the United States, locating in New York, and
soon removed to Illinois, where Mrs.Darby died and his wife still
lives. Mrs. Cole was born in New York State, July 11, 1844. By
the above union there are four children, three living — Addison
Jay, born Aug. 19, 1870; Bertha Mertilla, born Dec. 23, 1872; Jessie
Lillian and Austin Everett, twins (Austin is deceased), bom
Aug. 26, 1876. Mr. Cole votes the Kepnblican ticket. In 1862
he enlisted in the Ninty-sixth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and
served three years, being in many of the hard-fought battles
of the war: Chiokamauga, Lookout Mountain, Franklin, Resaca,
Nashville and numerous others; he was discharged June 29, 1865,
At Chicago. He is Secretary of Floyd County Farmers' Mutual
Fire Insurance Company; has been Township Clerk two terms,
and Assessor two years; is at present Assessor of the township.
Samuel F. Ferguson^ farmer; postoffice, Charles City; was boru
in New York, July 7, 1829, where he was educated; he is the son
•of James and Susanna (Smith) Ferguson, natives of New York. Mr.
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''Vh^lAC LIBRARY
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OEDAB TOWNSHIP. 790
Ferguson died in New York . They had a family of three children,
Samnel being the oldest. In 1864 he came to WiscodsIq, living
there one year, then came to Iowa and bought his present farmof 240
acres on section 28; he now owns 620 acres of land. He has made
farming a success; is well situated on an excellent farm and is giving
some attention to fine stock. In 1867 he married Nancy Ann,dangh-
terof John and Florilla (Walls) McEinney, natives of Ireland; they
now live in New York, where Mrs. Ferguson was born, May 26,1840.
This union has been blessed with four children — James Alexander,
bom May 13, 1860; Charlotte, bom Sept. 24, 1862, died May 12,
1879; Flora, May 8, 1869; JohnMilford, Sept 29, 1873. Mr. and
Mrs. Fergnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
in which denomination he is a Local Deacon. He has held several
township offices, the duties of which he has faithfully discharged.
He votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the energetic, enter-
prising and respected men of Floyd County.
LucUn M, Foster y mason, minister and farmer; postoffice. Or-
chard; son of Samuel and Lois (Miller) Foster. They were of New
England nativity, and hadafamily of five children, of which Lucien
is the yonngest. He was born in Washington County, N. Y., and
was educated there and learned the trade of a mason, which business
he followed several years, and then studied for the ministry and
began preaching in 1831 for the Congregational denomination. He
moved to Lake Connty, 111., and lived two years. In -1855 he moved
to Iowa and united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, and has
preached for them much of the time till now. On coming to Iowa
he pre-empted a homestead, being the first settler on Plum Prairie.
His experiences with his friends, the red men, wonldfill a good-sized
volume, but by uniform kindness, never had any trouble with them.
In 1834 he married Sarah Maria Stockwell, a native of Yermont.
This union was blessed with five children, two living — Royal A.,
born Aug. 9, 1838, married; Carmi J., born Nov. 14, 1857, mar-
ried and living in Floyd County; Samuel A., died in the army; the
others died in childhood. Royal A. lives on section 22, where h«
owns 175 acres of fine land, under good cultivation. In 1864 he
married Sylvia Bennett. She was born in Lake Connty, 111., March
30, 1843. By their union there is one child — Jerome Ashley, born
Feb. 4, 1870. They are members of the Wesleyan Methodist
church, and he votes the Republican ticket, as does his father, who
has held several of the township offices, and has faithfully dia-
49
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800 HIBTOBT OF FLOYD OOTJinT.
charged the duties of each. They are respected highly by their
iriends. Mrs. Lacien Foster died on Oct. 14| 1876; it was occa-
sioned by a fall and the breaking of her right hip. Bev. Foster
owns 135 acres of land on section 22.
John, Henry y farmer and carpenter; postoffice, Stillwater; son of
John and Jane (Orr) Henry, of Scottish descent. Our subject wae
born in Ireland, County Oaven. When eighteen years of age he
came to New York State, where he commenced the carpenter's
trade; from there he went to Philadelphia, and thence to Liverpool
and London, and continued to work at his trade in all these plaices.
He returned to the United States in 1858, and again lived some six
years in Philadelphia, and five years in Chicago. In 1870 he pur-
chased his farm of 240 acres on section 20, Cedar Township, la.,
where he has since lived. In 1858 he married Mary, daughter of
James and Mary (Holland) McKitterick, natives of Ireland, where
they died. ^ This union has been blessed with six children, fiveliv.
ing — John, born March 11, 1860; Margaret, March 27, 1861; Julia
Ann, Dec. 29, 1863 (all born in Philadelphia); Mary, born in Chi-
cago, May 14, 1867; William Henry, born Oct. 17, 1868, in Lake-
view, 111. Mrs. Henry is a member of the M. E. church. Mr.
Henry is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. lodges.
He has held several of the township offices, and faithfully dis-
charged the duties of each. He votes the Republican ticket.
James Homghey^ farmer; postoffice, Floyd; son of John and Julia
Ann (Young) Hanghey, natives of Delaware. They moved to Illi-
nois at an early day and died there. They were the parents of twelve
children. James was the fifth child and was born in Ohio, Nov.
14, 1811, where he was educated; he learned the trade of a carpen-
ter and worked at it several years; is also a cabinet-maker. On
Aug. 13, 1837, he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mary
(Coon) Stout, natives of Pennsylvania; she was born in Ohio,
Dec. 4, 1817. By this union there are eight chiidren, five living —
Sylvanus, born June 6, 1840, and died in 1870; he served through
the war of the Rebellion, and contracted the disease of which he
died; Francis, April, 1842, married ; Mary Hartford, Aug. 18, 18 i5,
wife of George Bleckly; Julia Ann, June 18, 1847, wife of Frank
Pelton; Martha Jane, June 25, 1849, wife of Adam Fehr; Sophia
Ellen, deceased; Harriet Hydassa, Nov. 14, 1853; James Buchanan,
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Haughey came to Iowa in 1 854. He owns
300 acres of fine land on section 28, Oedar Township, mostly im-
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CEDAB TOWNBHIP. 801
proved. Mr. and Mrs. Hanghey are metnbard of the M. £. ohnrch.
Mr. Haughey has held Bevcral township offioea and votes the
Eepnblican ticket.
W.B. Howard^ farmer; poetoffice, Charles Citj; eon of Elbert
and Phoebe (McNeil) Howard, natives of Kentucky. W. B. was
born in Kentucky in 1815; was edncated in Indiana, and came to
Illinois in 1834 and to Iowa in 1854; he owns eighty acres of land
on section 25, where he now lives. In 1840 he married Lncetta
Hinsdell, a native of New York. This union was blessed with six
children — Sarah Elizabeth, deceased; Fidelia J., deceased; Sanders
M., married and living in Emmet County, la.; Nora J., wife of
John A. Wright, of Mitchell County, la. ; Plicebe A., wife of
Almon D. Couse, of Orchard, la. ; Antoinette, died in infancy. Mrs.
Howard soon followed. In 1860 Mr. Howard married Melissa
Ann Southard, a native of Massachusetts. Has been County Super-
visor three terms. Mr. Howard has held most of the township
offices, and has faithfully discharged the duties of them ali. He
votes the Kepnblican ticket.
WUUard I/inphere^ farmer; postoffice, Cbarles"City; son of Rus-
sell and Lydia (Miner) Lanphere, natives of Connecticut, where
they died. Williard was born Feb. 25, 1820, in Connecticut, where
he was edncated. He is one of a family of fourteen, and is the
tenth drild. He went to New York in 1836, remaining about seven
years; thence to Ohio for a short time; thence to Wisconsin, and
then to Iowa in 1852, and to Floyd County in 1856, where he
entered land ; he has now a farm of forty acres on section 24,
Cedar Township. In 1848 he married Mary, daughter of Isaac
and Mary (Sawyer) Hoisington, natives of Vermont and Massa-
chusetts respectively. By this union there have been eight chil-
dren, fonr living — Carrie (wife of Everton Canfield), Franklin,
Phineas and Olive. Mr. and Mrs. Lanphere are members of the
Wesleyan Methodist church. He votes the Democratic ticket.
Isaac Naden^ farmer; postoffice. Orchard, Mitchell County; son of
Samuel and Martha (Milner) Naden. They were natives of England,
and moved to the United States, and located in Illinois in 1845,
where they both died. Isaac was born in England, Sept, 9, 1824,
where he was educ ited; he came to the United States with his par-
ents, and in 1855 he came to Iowa, and entered his lands where he
now lives. He has 820 acres of as fine land as can be found; it is
on section 21, Cedar Township, and sections 16 and 16, Lincoln
Township, Mitchell County. Mr. Naden has the best improved
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803 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
land in the township, and is thorough-going in whate>^er he under-
takes. In 1845 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James and
Elizabeth (Butterworth) Turner, natives of England, where they
died. By this union there have been four children — J. W., born
1846, married and keeping store in Orchard; Noah S., bom 1848,
married, and lives in Orchard; Mary A., born in 1851, wife of
R. F. Hill, of Chicago; and W. H., born 1855. Mr. Naden and
family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Naden has
held many of the township offices, but of late refuses to accept
any. He votes the Bepublicaa ticket.
Oeorgs f, Nash^ farmer; postoffice, Charles City. He was bom
iu New York, Dec. 17, 1860, and at an early age moved to Illinois,
where he was educated. His father was Jeremiah, and his mother
Olive (Oaks) Nash, natives of New York; they now reside in Illi-
Bois. In 1871 he married Genella G., daughter of Daniel and
Elixa (Getman) Stowell, natives of New York. Mrs. Stowell died
in 1868, in Illinois, where the family had moved. By the above
union there are four children, three living — Edith, bom Nov. 11,
1874; Ralph Clinton, Dec. 16, 1877; Frank George, Dec. 2, 1879.
Mr. Nash and wife are members of the Methodist church. Mr.
Na^h owns 275 acres of fine prairie land on section 35. He has
held several township offices, and votes the Republican ticket.
Addis Schermerhom^ farmer; postoffice, Charles City; son ot
William and Harriet (Lottridge) Schermerhorn, was born in
Chenango County, N. Y., March 6, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. William
Schermerhorn were both natives of New York, and were the par-
ents of five children, four living — Perry, Addis, Marvin, living in
Minnesota, and William W., living with his parents in Cedar
Township. Addis was educated principally in Iowa, attending the
first iichool ever held in the township, at the house of W. B. How-
ard. He has followed farming for a livelihood, and now owns
seventy-two acres of finely-improved land, on section 35, Cedar
Townsliip. He married, in 1860, Samantha, daughter of J. and
Susan (Jacobs) Aldrich, natives of Rhode Island. Her mother
died in Iowa, in 1857; her father is still living in Dakota. Mr.
and Mrs. Schermerhorn have four children — Geneva, born Jan. 4,
1862; Cora, June 1, 1864; Charles Wesley, April 11, 1873; Ida,
Dec. 12, 1876. They are members of the Wesleyan Methodist
church. Mr. Schermerhorn votes the Republican ticket.
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CEDAR TOWNSHIP. MS,
Charles H. Towner^ farmer; P. O., Cliarles City. His father
was James 8. and his mother Eveline (Barney) Towner, natives of
Vermont. The father came to Illinois at an early day, where he
died; the mother still lives there. Charles was born in Vermont,
Nov. 4, 1834, where he was edncated. He worked at farming,
and came to Illinois in 1848, where he lived until 1856, when he
moved to Iowa and boaght a farm. He now owns 285 acres of
excellent land on section 36, where he now lives, and has under a
high state of cultivation. In 1856 he married Louisa Bennett, who
was born March 22, 1839, in Illinois, a daughter of Stephen and
Betsey (Knickerbacker) Bennett, natives of Dutchess Co., N. T.
They moved to Illinois in 1837, where Stephen died, and in 1855
Mrs. Bennett and family came to Iowa, where she still lives with
her children. By the above union there are six children — George,
born April 27, 1859, married; Owen C, April 16,1862; Oscar J.,
Sept. 16, 1865; Koyal C, July 27, 1868; Mary E., Aug. 29, 1876;
Balph S., Dec. 17, 1379. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are members of
the Wesleyan Methodist church. He votes the Republic in ticket.
WUUamB, Tovmery termer; postoffice,Charles City ; son of James
S. and Eveline (Barney) Towner, natives of Massachusetts and Ver-
mont respectively, who were the parents of six children— William
B., Charles H., Mary E., Carlos C, F. B. and Eveline. Three
live in Iowa, two in Illinois, one in Michigan; all born in Vermont.
William B. was born in Castleton, Rutland County, Vt., Dec. M,
1831, where he was educated. In 1864 he came to Iloyd County,
la. He now owns 203 acres of fine land on sections 35 and 36,
mostly well improved. In 1856 he married Harriet A., dauo^hter
of Edward and Harriet (Golden) Darby, of England. They caiae
to the United States many years ago, and Edward died in Illi-
nois, where his wife still lives. By the above union there are
five children — Adrin J., Ella M., CoraM., Edward J. and Fred-
erick H. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are members of the Wesleyan
Methodist church. Mr, Towner votes the Republican ticket,
and has held several township offices; is Secretary of the School
Board and Justice of the Peace; has held each of these ofiices
some ten years, and was Cjunty Supervisor four terms.
Chester JU. Townsend, farmer and stock-raiser; postoffice,
Charles City; son of John C. and Lncinda (Underwood) Town-
send. The subject of this sketch was b3rn in the State of New
York, Dec. 6, 1837. He was educated in Iowa and has followed
farming. He owns 533 acres of land on sections 1,30 and 31, Cedar
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004 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Township. He also owns 320 acres in Dakota. In 1866 he mar.
Tied Harriet, dauffhter of John and Mary A. (Park) Hill, natives
of New York and Massachusetts respectively, both deceased. By
this union there are three children — Schuyler C, born July 10,
1868; Rollin M., Aug. 26, 1870; Gertie V., Sept. 2, 1877. Inl861
Mr. Townsend enlisted in the Third Iowa Infantry, Company I,
Captain M. M. Trumbell, and served three years in that regiment,
and in February thereafter re-onlisted In the Second U. S. Voter
aiis, General Hancock's Corps, Company H, and served one year.
While in service he was engaged in many of the hard-fought bat-
tles: that of Pittsburg Landing and Hatchle River, where he was
wounded in the abdomen by a canister ball striking on the U. S.
belt plate; siege of Yicksburg and Jackson, Miss., where he was
taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison, Richmond, and to Belle
Isle. He was discharged at the expiration of the three years' ser-
vice, at Davenport, la., and in Washington, D. C, at the expira-
.tion of the one year's enlistment. He votes the Republican ticket.
John C. Toumsendy farmer; postoffice, Charles City; was born in
the State of New York, Sept. 18, 1813, where he was educated.
His father was Chester, and mother Delight (Wilber) Townsend,
natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively. They
moved to New York in 1801, and lived there until 1839, when they
earae to Gratiot County, Mich., where they died. John C. has
followed farming, and in 1854 came to Iowa and took up his pres-
ent farm of 160 acres on section 86, where he has lived ever since.
He owns 163 acres adjoining. In 1835 he married Lucinda, daugh-
ter of Chester and Theda (Trask) Underwood, natives of Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut respectively. They are both deceased,
Mr. Underwood dying in Genesee County, N. Y., and Mrs. Un-
derwood, after again marrying, in Walworth County, Wis. Lu-
einda was bom in Massachusetts, Dec. 12, 1813. This union has
been blessed with four children, three living — Chester M., born in
New York, Dec. 6, 1837, married and living near his parents; Li-
vonia J., wife of Lorenzo J. Dawley, of Minneapolis, born June
17, 1840; Jerome W., married, living in Kansas, born Aug. 17,
1844; Viola fl., born January, 1852, died Aug. 7, 1858. Mr. Town-
send is a Spiritualist. lie has held many of the township otBces;
has been County Supervisor, and has faithfully discharged all the
duties. He votes the Greenback ticket.
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP.
OBOANIC.
For a large portion of the following history we are indebted to
Hervey Wilbur, Esq., of Floyd.
The township of Floyd was one of the original four townships
carved out of the entire territory of Floyd County, Sept. 4, 1854,
by John M. Hunt, County Judge. It then comprised the Con-
gressional towuships 96 and 97, in range 15; 96 and 97, in range
16; and the east half of 96 and 97, in range 17. The boundary
lines of Floyd Township as now defined are more irregular than
those of any other towrship in the county. Mitchell County
and Cedar Township in Floyd County lie on the north; Cedar,
Niles and St. Charles townships on the East; St. Charles and
Ulster fownships on the south, and Ulster and Rudd townships
on the west. It contains forty-three sections of land, of which
about three and a half sections are heavy timber.
March 5, 1855, sections 25 and 36, and the south half of section
26, and all of section 35 in township 96 north, of range 16, and a
strip ten miles wide from the south side of township 96, range 16,
were detached from Floyd and attached to St. Charles Township;
D. Wiltse, acting County Judge.
March 3, 1856, the south half of section 3, township 97, range
15, and the four north tiers of sections in township 96, range 15,
and sections 21 to 28 inclusive, and sections 34, 35 and 36, in
township 97, range 16, and sections 1, 12 and 13 of township 96,
range 16, were detached from FloyJ and formed into a township
called Cedar; A. L. Collins, County Judge.
March 25, 1856, the north half of sections 24 and 26, township
96, range 16, was detached from Floyd and attached to St. Charles
Township; A. L. Collins, County Judge.
At the June session of 1862, of the Board of Supervisors, the
west half of section 18, township 96, range 15, was detached from
Floyd and attached to Niles Township; Chester Butterfleld,
County Judge.
(805)
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806 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUHTY.
THB FIRST WUITB 8BTTLSB8.
The first white settlers in Floyd Township were John Olark and
Sherman who came as trappers and adventurers in 1851^
the former settling on section 8, and the latter on section 9. Each
broke and planted this summer season two acres of ground. C. P.
Burroughs and H. M. Brown came into Floyd Township in 1852.
Burroughs bought Sherman's choice claim, while H, M. Brown,
with a lew dollars induced Clark to leave what has sioce been con-
verted into a valuable home, and go further west to surprise the
mink and some other locality with less civilization. Jefferson 0.
Muchler, Oliver Hubbard, Samuel Nims, Moses Chapman and
Smith Hyler also come as settlers this year.
Two children were bom this year — one to John Clark and wife,
and one to Charles Twite and wife, but which was first, the old
ladies cannot say. George Patterson, a young man boarding with
Hrs. Nims, died in October, 1852.
In 1858 came David Bates, N. A. Rice, Wm. Carl, Wm. Mont-
gomery, Marvin S. and Edward Heath, John AV. and L. G. Bur-
roughs. At this time a little settlement had commenced in the
north part of the township. Cutler's water saw-mill on Rock Creek
was built this year, and Coleman Bumgartner and others had settled
in that vicinity; this settlement was called Watertown. Just oppo-
site, on the east side of the Cedar, Wm. Oilman opened th^ first
store in what was then Floyd Township. In this year was organized
the Methodist Episcopal society. Rev. Schamp, by name, pastor.
The first meeting was held at the home of H. M. Brown.
In 1854 came M. G. Cook, J. B. Dawley, Peter Schamp, Philip
Shorkey, Henry Ingi*am, H. M. Nye, E. H. Morrison, Hiram
Smith, Moses Conger, John Richardson, B. B. Van Steenburg,
and a few others.
The Tatums, H. Hogan, J. H. Story, and Silas Smith were early
settlers. In this year occurred the famous Indian'scare of Floyd
County.
In 1855 some prominent men came: James Griffith, the Sprague
brothers, Chester Butterfleld, Andrew Rice, and others. This
year James Griffith finished and set going the first water saw and
grist mill in the township; the grist-mill had two run of stone.
Andrew Sample had previously begun the work. Thomas Sprague
opened the first store and postofficethis year — was the^first Postmas-
ter and William was his deputy. The building he opened in was pur-
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 807
chased in St Charles, toru down and moved to Floyd; it was
composed of poplar logs. Andrew Rice set in motion, this year,
a steam saw-mill, raising his smoke stack on Christmas day, amid
great rejoicing. The Village of Floyd was laid out this year by
James Griffith and Henry 0. Tatnm. Gilmantown was also laid
ont this year.
FIRST BYBNTS.
April 2, 1855, the first election was held in the township. E.
H. Morrison, was elected Olerk; William Oilman, J. P; Humphrey
Hogan, Assessor, and H. M. Brown, J. W. Burroughs and Samuel
W. Nims, Trustees. The first County Convention was held this
year at John Ball's in what is now Ulster Township. C. P. Bur-
roughs was nominated as School Fund Commissioner, and William
Montgomery, Sheriff. They were elected. Floyd had no political
dictator. The first marriage license in the township was granted
to Marvin S. Heath and Lucy A. Smith, daughter of Hiram
Smith, Sen.
In the summer of 1856 B. B. Yan Steenburg built a house on his
land just north of town; he, George Lorillard and Frank Nosser
kept bachelor's hall until the fall of the same year. The house
was then moved to Carl's addition, and used as a boarding house
for mill hands. The steam mill was moved on to the addition in
the faU and commenced work about Den. 15. The name of the
firm was B. F. Nosser & Co. The first school was opened this
year. The house was built by N. A. Rice, Moses Conger, C. P.
Burroughs and H. M. Brown. The teacher's name was Phylinda
Burroughs. The scholars' names were Minerva Brown, Malinda
Brown , Louisa Conger, and Sarah Fisher, an adopted daughter of
N. A. Rice. This was known for years as the " little white school-
house." It stood near the present stone school-house in District
No. 8.
In 1856 E. H. Morrison was elected Clerk; Thomas Sprague,
Wm. Carl and Lorey Franklin, Trustees; Silas Smith, Assessor;
Humphrey Logan, Justice of the Peace. Moses Conger was ap-
pointed Justice of the Peace, to fill vacancy by resignation of Wm.
Gillman.
In 1866 Wm. Carl laid out his addition to Floyd Village, on
the west of the original plat. In 1857 Griffith and Chittenden
laid out an addition. In 1858 Wm. Montgomery laid out his ad-
dition on the south of the original plat These additions and the
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808 HI8T0BY OP FLOYD OO0NTY.
original plat covered about 250 acres of land. At this time antic-
ipations ran high and it was hoped to make this a county seat, and
with her splendid water-power it was tbonghtmuch manufacturing
would locate here. For a time the town grew faster than the
country, and the sound of the hammer was heard from '^earlymorn
to dewy eve," and lots sold at "fine" figures. But disappoint-
ment was in store for the Floydites. A prospective new mill and
partly finished bridge were swept away by a severe freshet, and the
county seat was in 1859, decided lost, and town lots declined.
But at the time of building the McGregor & Sioux City R. B.,
and the Cedar Falls & Minnesota R. R., property again revived and
up went our present mill,'school-houses and church edifices. But
alas, the roads missed ud, and confidence in town lots gave way,
and their owners commenced to vacate them, reverting them back
to farm lands; the present town of lots covers only about eighty
acres. But, though thus reduced, Floyd has quite an extensive
trade, and is one of the six railroad towns in the county, and is a
very pleasant little town to live in.
SOHOOLS, OHUBGHBS, KTO.
The schools of the township have increased in importance and
we now have eight, with a corresponding number of good school-
houses, and large enrollment of scholars. An independent school
district was organized March 22, 1862, and in 1867, it was voted
to build a school-house; a block of land was purchased and O.
Haven contracted with to build. The total cost, as now completed,
$10,000. House accepted in 1868. First school was taught in
1870. The house is conspicuous from all points. Its belfry is
quite a good observatory. From it the cars can be seen entering
into both Floyd and Charles City. The country surrounding Floyd
at a great distance looks like an exquisitely drawn map.
[We have been unable to obtain statistics.]
Resident physicians: Dr. L. Birney, settled in 1856; Dr. Ellis,
also Dr. J. D. McKenzie, in 1874; Drs. Hammond, Brown and Mc-
Ewen, were here temporarily.
The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1867,
I. D. Rust in charge. The church edifice was erected in 1862,
and dedicated Jan. 19, 1863. The Christians were organized in
1861, Peter Deyo, preacher. In 1870, the Presbyterian church
organized and built a house of worship. Marvin Jones was the
pastor.
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 809
The Ladies Union League was organized in 18d6,Mr8. LM. Merri-
man, President— about 100 members. The same year the gentle-
men organized a Union League, Otis Haven, President — ^with about
100 members. Patrons of Husbandry organized in 1873, D.O.
Sutton, Master. There have been organized four lodges of Good
Templars. The ladies first union sewing society organized in
1857; second sewing society of the M. E. church was organized
in 1858 and has been perpetual. It has earned and disbursed more
than $1,000; it has mostly been expended about the church and
parsonage. The sewing society of the Presbyterian church was
organized by the ladies in 1870. The Ladies' Union Temperance
League was organized in 1874, as was also the Foreign Missionary
Society.
MILFTARY.
In 1861 Floyd furnished the first volunteers for the war of the
Kebellion — ^Norman Wolcott, N. R. Rider, Wra. Tottlar, Henry
King, James Baker, P. W. Snjder, and A. W. Dickey. These seven
young men were drawn up in line just before leaving Floyd, and
the citizens passed them, taking each by the hand, and bidding
him good-by. The act was simple but solemn. Our country
was in danger; and here were her defenders. These volunteers
were escorted to St. Charles by nearly the whole town of Floyd,
drums beating, fifes playing, and flags flying. Just before arriv-
ing at St. Charles we were met by a very large concourse of
citizens from that town. It was just after dark, and the flags could
scarcely be seen, enough however, so we knew " our comrades were
there." Here our seven volunteers were joined by seven from St.
Charles, and after marching in procession a little we were escorted
into Gilbert's Hall. This hall was never more densely packed.
If martial music were ever played, the drum and fife made music
now. After order was somewhat restored, H. Wilbur, of Floyd, was
made chairman of the joint meeting. Kate Wright gave an address
of welcome to the Floyd people, after which numerous speakers
were called out. There were no Whigs or Democrats at this meet-
ing. All were Union men, and Union women. Here commenced
the breaking up of two great political parties. A new issue
presented itself, such as these United States had never seen before.
It was union or disunion, and every man arrayed himself on the
side of his choice. It was the spirit of this night that saved the
country. These joined the Third Iowa at Cedar Falls, and were
never accredited either to St. Charles or Floyd. W. P. Graylord
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810 H18TOBT OP FLOYD COUNTY.
and U. Wilbur wete app:>iQted a committee to get these several
volunteers accredited to their own towns, but in consequence of
red tape tliis deserved result was never obtained.
During these years Floyd was quite a military camp. A com-
pany of infantry, with James GriflSth as Captain, was formed and
drilled on our streets. Cavalry men appeared riding and maneuver-
ing, and much talk was made in reference to forming a company
for this branch of the service. The drum and fife were heard al-
most every evening, and meetings for the purpose of raising vol-
unteers were frequent. At these meetings, the speakers were
generally enthusiastic, and met with good results. Floyd sent out
over sixty soldiers; was credited by the authorities with only about
thirty-five. In consequence of this, a draft came, calling for two
men from Floyd. Rev. Preston, of the Christian church, and Rev.
Wra. Smith, of the M. £. church were the drafted men — a remark-
able providence, the solution of which is: the devil overruled the
drawing, but God overruled the devil by procuring substitutes for
the drafted ministers. In 1863 the ladies sent off two large
boxes of sanitary stores for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers.
In 1864, at a school exhibition held in the M. E. church, H. Wil-
bur, teacher, over $40 in cash was raised and sent for the same
purpose. Relief was also liberally given to the Chicago and grass-
hopper sufferers.
Q£»EBAL HISTORY.
From a few acres only, tilled in 1856, with the rudest imple-
ments, the people can now feed thousands with our surplus prod-
ucts. Instead of the old-fashioned single or double shoveled plow^
we now ride through our corn-fields on our two-horse sulkies. In-
stead of the square or a drag with twenty-four teeth, we now
sweep over the ground with our Scotch harrows of forty-two teeth,
or still more improved harrows of seventy-two teeth. Instead of
hand-sowing our grain, we now drill, or sow broadcast with our
seeders. Instead of the hoe for planting, we use the hand or
horse planter, planting from five to twenty acres per day of corn.
Instead of McCorniick or other old reapers without rakes, we now
proudly ride along on our Little Champions or other self-rakers^
followed by a quarter score of binders; or, prouder still, we mount
our harvesters, taking our two binders with us, working in the
shade. Or, another step in advance, goes the man with his team,
reaping and binding alone, while others, with their headers, cut and
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 811
6tack their grain the eame day. We now ride leisarely alon^ on
our mowers, cracking onr whips at the dandelion heads, followed
by the strippling of the West, perched on his horse rake.
Previons to 1857 there was no resting place for the dead, and a
temporary organization of the people was formed, and the follow-
ing Board of Trustees was elected: I. D. Rust, James Griffith,
Chester Butterfield, H. M. Nye and G. N. Miner, who were to
select a place for, and cause to be laid out, suitable grounds for a
cemetery. These trustees select^ a part of the northwest quarter
of the southwest quarter of section 22, township 96, range 16,
being four a,cre8 and sixty-nine and three-fourths square feet of
ground.
This ground they purchased by note of H. M. Nye, expecting to
pay said notes by funds to be raised by sale of lots. Said ground
was laid out into lots by J. G. Shoemaker, surveyor, and lots were
sold at public auction, when only enough ^as raised to pay the cost
of surveying, and nothing was left to pay on the note. But few
deaths occurring, and no one seeming to have money to pur-
chase lots in advance of death, the payment of the note and interest
was delayed until the holder thereof became anxious for his pay.
Thus matters continued until 1862, when Ohpster Butterfield, L.
G. Burroughs, J. W. Burroughs, Jacob Whitbeck, Wm. Montgom-
ery, Wilder Butterfield, S. A. Quinby, Silas Smith, H. M. Nye,
Joseph Monson, L. K. Lee and H. Wilbur assumed the contract, paid
the debt, and became sole proprietors of all unsold lots. L. G.
Burroughs was the first President; H. Wilbur, Secretary. This
company caused a plat of the ground to be recorded, and sales are
now made by lots, the company giving deeds therefor. That Floyd
is not exempt from death, is evidenced by the number of monu-
ments and mounds raised there to mark the sleeping place of dear
ones departed. All these mounds and monuments have been raised
during and since 1857. That death is no respecter of persons, age
or sect, is apparent from the great variety in size of these sleeping
abodes, and of the names and ages of their respective occupants.
Comparing the living with the dead, Floyd is at least as healthy as
any of her surrounding townships. In proportion to present pop-
ulation, I venture to say more old settlers remain in Floyd than in
any other township in the county.
By a vote to move the court-house site from St. Charles to the
geographical center, taken April 5, 1858, there were, for removing,
453 votes; against removing, 434 votes; giving nineteen majority
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812 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
or removal. Judge Bipley was Ooonty Jndge, and Silas Smith was
both Treasurer and Jiecorder. Soon after this vote, Judge Ripley
ordered the county records to be moved to Floyd. As there were
no buildings at this time at the center, it became proper for the
county judge to designate a place for a temporary court-house.
Floyd was so designated and a portion of the records moved here
and recording done. Bat, before our people became fledglings, an
injunction was served on the county judge, not to remove any more
books to Floyd, and commanding him to return those already there.
The injunction was quashed, but by some " hook or crook," the
matter was carried to the Supreme Court, and decided against the
removal of the site in 1859.
Thus was the " cup of joy" forever dashed from the lips of Floyd
Township. Could the people of St. Charles blame the people of
Floyd for feeling very, very sore over this? As an immediate course
of rejoicing, and before the controversy was ended, a Fourth of
July celebration at the geographical center was determined on by
those friendly to the removal. Those opposed celebrated at St.
Charles. Before the vote was ta^en to remove, a sharp controversy
had been carried on through the newspapers, by W. P. Gaylord in
favor, and some St. Charles man against it, the St. Chftrles
man alleging the soil to be so poor and wet at the center, that
nothing but turnips could be raised there. Nevertheless, prepara-
tions for the celebration at the center went on enthusiastically.
The center of the county was mathematically determined, and a
nice liberty pole was visible from a spot in the Budd road, west of
Floyd, for quite a number of years, or until the farmer routed it to
make room for his breaking plow. The 4th of July, 1858, earner
and the people of Floyd were ready for the occasion. Silas Smith
and J. P. Webster acted as marshals for Floyd. Two lumber wag-
ons coupled together as one, with seats all around facing inward,
with graceful boughs intertwined, made a most luxurious palace
for its inmates. To this grand car were attached ten yoke of oxen
guided by drivers who knew how to run a twenty-four or thirty-
inch breaking plow. Next to this was one double wagon seated
and furnished with trimmings the same as the first, and to which
was attached five yoke of oxen guided by equally efficient drivers.
Next this, horses and footmen, horses and carriages completing the
procession. To a greenhorn the scene was really exciting. The
crack, crack of the whip; the gee, haw, come along Bright, Buck
and Berry, Duke and Dime, were really amusing as well as exciting.
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 818
Not far out from Floyd a rattle-snake was canght, and Jack
Qroft took it by the nape of the neck with one hand and by the tail
with the other, and passed it between his teeth, chonkin^ it as it
passed through. Next, a stripped gopher was caught and thrown
into the large wao^on alive, just to amuse the ladies. Arriving at
the Big Slough — it showed its correct name, and ladies and gentle-
men had to come down to terra iirma and pass over the slough on
a temporary brash and limb bridge. There was not a fence or
a house between Floyd and the center. It looked like going out to
sea in a great meadow. Arriving at the center we were lustily
cheered by West-siders who had already arrived. We marched a
few times around the pole, until the whole ox-cavalcade was formed
in procession, and then we wended our way to the grove near
Sprague^8, where arrangements had been made for speaking.
Judge Ball read the Declaration of Independence, and W. P. GteLy-
lord was orator. I. D. Enst, of Floyd, was chaplain, and Smith
and Webster, marshals of the day.
After the vote, moving the county seat to the geographical cen-
ter, it became a matter of political importance who should be the
next county judge. In 1859 fhe Bepublicans nominated Judge
Ripley, and the Democrats nominated David Wiltse, of St.
Charles, who pledged himself as being opposed to St. Charles be-
ing the county-seat, that if elected he would put a roof on the stone
structure already reared to preserve it, and wait further develop-
ments before completing it This bait the Democrats swallowed
as a party, hoping thereby to elect their ticket. The Republicans
in favor of St. Charles also swallowed it, and with perhaps another
secretly tendered promise in regard to finishing up the Court
House, and they voted almost solidly fur Wiltse, who was elected ;
and contrary to his pledge, contracted fur the completion of the
court-house. This act was the occasion of a raid upon the court-
house. The people feeling indignant, many informal indigna-
tion meetings were hold, and by concert, many of the disaffected
people determined to visit St. Charles, and there give vent to their
]>ent-ap feelings. Floyd Township, though not unanimous in
this move, acted voluntarily with a majority of her voters in this
matter. The citizens met in the then would-be court house, and
appointed a committee to wait on Judge Wiltse and invite him to
come over and explain his conduct. He was sick and could not
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814 HISTORY OF FLO\D COUNTY.
come. This seemed to be the culmination of the entire coanty-seat
business.
The vote to raise a tax of five cents on the dollar to assist in build-
ing the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad, was taken and carried
Oct. 29, 1868, and the cars reached the Floyd depot on that road
in the fall of 1869. Of this road 5 35-100 miles lie in this town-
ship, and 4 25-100 of the McGregor & Sioux City Road. On this
last road the cars also ran to Floyd Crossing in 1869. Previous
to this our commerce was carried by wagons across the Wapeie to
McGregor or down the Cedar to Dubuque. Thomas Sprague's
four-mule team carried everybody between these two points.
No bridges, no roads anywhere. It is doubtful if even a minister
could pass over either of these roads without thinking of the bad.
We had no home markets except to settlers coming in. How we lived
in those olden times is a mystery. Prices low, roads bad, no market.
In the summer of 1858 no grain or flour could be bought nearer
than Clermont Mills, down toward McGregor. Musty corn was
worth $1.00 per bushel in Charles City. Now, how changed!
Market for everything and at each man's door. The people of
Floyd can now reach the following depots, going and returning in
one day: Osage, Orchard, Floyd, Charles City, Nashua, Marble
Rock, Rockford, Nora Springs and Rndd. Instead of oak and
basswood for lumber for building material, as in former days, we
have pine brought to every depot, and sold at reasonable rates.
The old steam and water saw-mills have ceased their depredations
on our forests, and the old-worn fence is giving place to boards and
wire. Instead of the log cabins or mere huts, and the down
stables, new houses are being erected of stone, brick or pine, and
barns of formidable dimensions are being erected of the same
materials. Instead of bee-lining across the township and wad-
ing through eloughs, the traveler finds well-worked roads, carefully
located for the convenience of the inhabitants, and instead of ford-
ing our streams, we pass them over good, substantial bridges.
Two heavy freshets have visited Floyd, one of which caused the
water of the Cedar to rise over thirty feet ; this occurred in 1858-
Other freshets have occurred since, but of less magnitude. Every
bridge was swept away by this one.
This year also occurred a very destructive storm of wind, rain
and thunder and lightning — at nin^ht. The morning showed the
effects of the damage to be great, though no lives were lost.
Houses were moved from their underpinning, school houses and
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FLOYD TOW>BHIP. 815
private houses anroofed, fences prostrated, and a general time of
discomfort felt. Add to this poor crops this year, and yon may
gness our situation.
The big spring, a little way below the Floyd Mill on the east
side of the river, is a natural curiosity. Quite a largo stream of
water abruptly bursts forth from under a high embankment. This
water is impregnated with some kind of mineral, and should some
enterprising Yankee become its owner, he would undoubtedly make
it historical as a summer resort. Still further up from the same
mill and on the same side of the river on B. B. Van Steenburg's
flat is another beautiful spring. This spring is almost in the
center of a small rivulet which flows into the Cedar, and is con-
stantly boiling up like a huge cauldron of heated syrup. The water
however is clear as crystal and pleasant to the taste. This spring
is already somewhat notorious as the resort of pleasure parties.
Being close to the river and in the timber, boating, swinging, eating
and gossiping can all be done in due order. Another phenome-
non in this township is the finding of animal and vegetable remains
many feet below the surface of the ground when digging wells,
lioses Conger, Esq., when digging for water on the premises now
owned and occupied by Neil Olesjn Seim Esq., found at the dis-
tance of about twenty feet below the surface a stick of timber about
six inches in diameter and reaching clear across the excavation.
It was so nearly petrified that the kind of wood could not be ascer-
tained. James Burnham, in digging a well on the Clark farm,
near Floyd village, found vegetable remains, such as limbs of trees
several feet below the surface. James Raymond, Sr., living about
four miles northwest from the village, found large quantities of
petrified matter, while digging a well. One piece had the appearance
of a black walnut, another had the form of a quill, another appeared
to be a large sized turtle; there were also many pieces of petrified
wood. Query, whence and how came they here?
A FBIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
As W. E. Brill was crossing the I. C. R. R; about half a mile
south of the depot, on the morning of Friday, Feb. 13, 1874, he
was struck by a passing train, the approach of which he was not
aware of, owing to the sudden bend in the road, and to the fact
that it was two hours past the time for the train to be due. The
horses had just crossed the track, and the engine struck the sled
50
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81,6 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUMTY.
aboat the middle, literallj smashing it to fragments, and precipitat-
ing its occupant to a distance of seventj-fiYe or a hundred feet.
Mr. Brill was seriously injured. The train was stopped and the
unfortunate man taken up in an unconcious condition and carried
to the depot.
OASUALTIBS.
April 27, 1868, John Wjman was upset in a skiff and drowned
in the Oedar under the dam a short distance below Floyd.
In April, 1879, on the premises of J. W. Webster, a colt
was born which seemed to be perfect in all respects except that
it had no fore-legs or shoulders, and no sign of any. It did
n'>t live and the carcass was taken to W. A. Fairbanks, a
taxidermist of Charles City, to be skinned and mounted. The
task was neatly done, and this singular freak of nature was thus
preserved as a wonder to all observers of biological phenomena.
May 28, 1858, at Floyd, three men were drowned in the Cedar
River. They were engaged in the stone quarry at that place, had
finished work for the day, and were crossing the river in a skiff, to
their boarding place, accompanied by Mr. Griffith. When near the
middle of the stream the strong current, with the wind, upset the
skiff, and Mr. Griffith alone escaped drowning. The name of one
was John Carroll.
Aug. 13, 1858, Mr. Cottrell, a stranger from New York, was
drowned near Floyd. His boat struck a bridge pier and threw
him out.
July 30, 1858, at Floyd, a terrible tornado and thunder-storm occur-
red, demolishing half a dozen buildings. Mr. Welch's family suf-
fered considerable injury. About forty acres of timber was blown
down, and fields of corn, oats and wheat were prostrated, and al-
most entirely ruined.
In June, 1861, Mrs. Alice C. Haley, of Floyd, in a freak of in-
sanity attempted to chop off her husband's head with an ax while
he wasitleeping on a lounge. She missed his throat and hit his
skull a blow, which in a few days proved fatal. She was taken to
the insane asylum at Mount Pleasant, from there to Wisconsin,
and died with her friends.
In 1865 Mr. Henry Webster had a little girl burned to death.
Both parents were from home, and the fire caught in the little
one's clothes.
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 817
On the 3d day of March, 1865, Patrick Burns was killed in
Floyd Township by a falling tree.
In July, 1866, two little boys, seven and five years of age, sons
of Wm. Galbraith, while out after cows, a severe storm coming on
the cows ran in an opposite direction, and the little fellows got lost
and were compelled to stay out all night. In the morning several
persons started on horseback to find the children, whom they
soon met coming home. They bivouacked on a gopher's hill.
On the 3d day of March, 1867, a daughter af Stephen Huntley,
aged eight years, was burned to death at Floyd.
On the 8th day of March, 1867, a daughter of F. Dale, aged
four years, was burned to death at Floyd.
On the 4th day of July, 1868, Jacob Whitbeck was drowned
while bathing in a pond near his father's residence in Floyd
Township.
July 17, 1868, a young German of considerable means, but
unable to understand ^English, was binding wheat for 0. P. Bur-
roughs, near Floyd, in the afternoon, when he suffered a fatal sun-
stroke. He was told not to work so hard, but it was thought that
he misinterpreted the warning and supposed he was urged to do
more.
July 24, 1869, Henry W. Ounningham and wife, a mile and a
half north of Floyd, were killed by a stroke of lightning during
the night while they were in bed. Tlieodore Ounningham the only
other person injthe house, was stunned. The remains of the de-
ceased young couple, clad in their wedding garments, were hur-
ried in the cemetery at Charles City.
Feb. 10, 1872, a most disastrous fire occurred in this county near
Watertown. On the night of that date both the dwelling-house
and the barn of J. G. Thompson were entirely consumed by fire,
with nearly all the contents. Five valuable horses were a part of
the loss in the barn. Total loss nearly $10,000; insurance $5,000.
Origin of fire, possibly sparks from the chimney falling upon
straw on the ground.
John Sharky, son of Philip Sharkey, of Floyd, supposed to have
committed suicide by cutting his throat, was found in the river near
Floyd on the 4th day of May, 1873, after the body had lain under
the ice for four months.
July 16, 1878, a three-year-old girl of Mr. Holland's, the
section boss at Floyd, was missed, and search was made all night by
some forty or fifty persons, and about six a. m. she was found by
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818 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Oharlie Hoord, weeping bitterly, chilled and cold, being thinly clad,,
and without shoes, hose or bonnet.
Nov. 15, 1878, abont three o'clock in the morning, the immense
barn on the farm of J. G. Thompson, section 28, was discovered
to be in flames, which were too far advanced to be extinguished.
Six horses, 900 bushels of oats, 460 bushels of wheat, a large quan*
tity of hay and twenty-four flue hogs were all consumed. Among
the horses was one of the finest stallions in the county. Fire 8up~
posed to be incendiary. Insurance to cover only a third of the
loss. Mr. Thompspn had before this suffered a number of similar
misfortunes.
HISOELLANEOUS.
In February, 1858, the first bridge was constructed of wood over
the Cedar River at Floyd, but in March, 1859, was swept away be-
fore being completed. This bridge was a private enterprise.
In 1868 the county erected a bridge over the Cedar at Floyd, a
part of which went out in March, 1869. It was rebuilt and went
out again in September of the same year. Erected a combination
bridge of iron and wood across the Cedar River at Floyd in 1876^
In 1857 every vote cast in Floyd Township at the June election
was Democratic.
July 4, 1860, a fine Sunday-school celebration at Floyd, whea
Hon. Oran Faville, of Mitchell, delivered the oration.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The following persons have held the oflSce of Justice of the Peace:
Chester Butterfield, E. W. Jones, H. T7ilbur, Henry R. Hubbard^
James Raymond, Lebeus Barnes, Alden Flint, O. Haven, E. H.
Morrison, G. B. White, L. H. W^aterbury, A. P. Seaton, Wm.
Sprague.
Assessors since 1856, have been: Wm. A. Cooley, Alden Flint, J.
W. Dawley, James Raymond, M. G. Cook, Wra. Sprague, Joseph
Maiison, G. B. White, P. Sharkey, J. W. Webster, A. Laban, O.
H. Fluent, M. H*. Curry, John Clark.
Township Clerks have been: Joseph Manson, Wm. Sprague, R.
P. Jackman, Otis Haven, E. S. Thomas, I. M. Merriman, A. S-
Griffith.
Trustees since 1856: James Griffith, Lewis Birney, Henry R. Hub-
bard, John Richardson, N. A. Rice, R. P. .Jackman, G. B. White,
Geo. E. Raymond, James Coley, B. B. Van Steenburg, Samuel
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 819
Olark, Geo. E. Smith, E. H. Morrison,. Alden Flint, Jesse Ed-
wards, J. N. Montjfomery, S. 0. Purdy, O. Hav^en, J. W. Webster,
Wm. Hansberg, A. B. Lanphire, G. Batterfield, L. Gunnin^ham,
Harris Qutnby, Moses Stewart, Jr., J. H. Benedict, Wm. Morse,
A. M. Gnnningham, A. Loban, Jerrj Butterfield, P. Sharkey, A.
Fowles, Thomas Martin, Wm. Morse, Jesse Edwards, N. A. Rice,
O. H. Fluent, A. H. Merriman, W. Raymond, A. M. Gnnningham.
Gonstables have been R. H. Hnbbard, Henry Tatnm, Wm. Garl,
James Montgomery, Goleman Bumgardner, I. K. Lee, P. Sharkey,
P. D. Larabee, James Raymond, Jr., H. M. Brown, G. P. GoUins,
Andrew Rice, Wm. L. Dayton, Wm. Morse, N. M. Wolcott, V.
R. Rider, L. M. Fluent, Benj. Smith, J. R Rider, Sidney Stick-
ney, Jas. Raymond, Lnoius Gole, R. J. Rankin, A. J. Harwood,
John Snyder, Wm. Smith, Levi Moon, Geo. F. Seaton, R. J. Ran-
kin, G. B. Grosby.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Edward O. Beattie^ farmer and Stock-raiser, section 23, Floyd
Township, was born in Ganada West, Dec. 20, 1837. His father,
Edward Beattie, was of Scotch descent. In 1846 his father
brought his family to ^ke Gounty, 111., and to this township
in 1854, where the family still reside. His father died Jan.
8, 1878. He owns 150 acres of well-improved land. He was mar-
ried, Jan. 5, 1863, to Elizabeth Saltsgiver. Of their seven children,
four are living — William, Lewis, Rosa and an infant girl.
L&uyU Birnetfy M. 2?., born in Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1823,
is a son of James Birney, a native of England, who died when
Lewis was quite small. He was reared and educated in his native
town, attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons in To-
ronto, Gan., in 1850-'51, graduating in 1851; also graduated from
Gollege of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, la., in ,1878. He
commenced to practice in 1851 in Ganada. He moved to Garden
Prairie, 111., in the spring of 1856, and came here the following
fall. He is the pioneer physician of the county; had a large terri-
tory to practice in; was frequently called to go forty and fifty miles.
He has a large practice; is a very skillful surgeon. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic order. He was married April 27, 1846, to
Mary M. Ferris. Of their seven children, six are living — Clarins
0., Yarriness G^, Matilda A., Gatharine M., Erasmus L. andGelia
J. The three sons are all practicing medicine; one daughter, Ma-
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820 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
tilda A., also practiced medicine a short time. She is now the wife
L. A. Snow. Mrs. Birney's father, Hiram Ferris, was born in New
York State in 1801, and her mother in Canada in 1808.
WUUam JS. Brill, farmer and stock-raiser, section 22, Floyd
Township, is a native of New York State, born Dec. 14, 1834. His
father, Nelson Brill, is a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to
Kenosha County, Wis., in 1838, and to Sauk County, Wis., in 1846.
He came to Floyd County, la., in 1867. He was married in 186&
to Eliza Degolia. They had one child — Charles. Mrs. Brill died
and in 1865 he married Jeanette Richmond, born in Erie County.
Pa. He deals in wood and timber.
Bushnell K. Branson, born in Steuben County, N. Y., Dw^ 20,
1819, is a son of Thomas Bronson, of Connecticut. He was educated
in the Genesee CoUep^, N. Y. ; came to Maquoketa City, la., in
1864; in 1855 he and his brother, Jas. A. Bronson, laid out the
town of Wyoming, in Jones County, la. He built several large
brick blocks ther§. He came to Floyd County in 1867. He went
to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1874 to educate his children. His son,
Thomas B., graduated there in 1879, and is now Professor of An-
cient and Modern Languages in the Michigan Military Academy
at Orchard Lake, Mich. Mr. Bronson was married in December,
1857, to Martha A. Stone. Of their four children three are living,
Thos. B., May, and Christina. Sidney L. died at the age of four
years.
Hartford M. Brown, born in Franklin County, Vt., Jan. 10,
1820, is a son of Prisson Brown, a native of New Hampshire, who
went to California in 1850. In 1833 Hartford M. Brown went to
La Porte County, Ind., and in 1835 to McHenry County, III. In
1852 he came to this county, before the land was surveyed west of
Floyd Township. Indians, buffaloes, elk, deer, and bears roamed
over the prairie. He saw thirty or forty deer in one drove. He
was married April 16, 1847, to Lovina A. Brown. Of their ten
children, four are living — Minerva, Malinda, Mary and Luella.
He has served as Constable two years. They are members of the
Christian church.
Ahraham BxUler, bom in Muskingum County, O., Feb. 12,
1812, is a son of Absalom Butler, a native of Maryland. He was
reared on a farm and received a limited education in the common
schools. He went to Favette County, Ohio, in 1855, and came
here in the fall of 1860, and settled on section 23, Floyd Town-
ship, where he now resides. He owns 160 acres of well-improved
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 821
land and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He h a earpen-
ter and joiner by trade; also served an apprenticeship at the cabi-
net-maker's trade. He was married May 8, 1886, to Mary Blunt,
daughter of James and Elizabeth Blnnt. Of tlieir ele^ren t^ildren
only seven are living — Elizab3th, Mary E., Amanda, James, George
W., Louisa, and John. Two daughters, Martha and Matilda, died
at the ages of thirty-three and twenty-one years, respectively.
John Olarkey farmer and stock-raiser, section 20, Floyd Township,
was born in Leicestershire, England, April 26, 1844. He is a son
of Samuel Clarke, a native of England, who came with his family
to America, and settled in Lake County, 111., in 1848. He received
bis education in the common schools and in the Northwestern Uni-
versity, at Evanston, 111. Daring the late war, he enlisted in Com-
pany H, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and served fourteen naonthp,
when he was wounded and discharged. Jan. 1, 1869, he was mar-
ried to Mary Green. They have five children — Nellie, Hepsy,
Willie, Merton and Perry. He came to this county in 1877. He
has been Assessor the past three years.
James Coley^ farmer and stock-raiser, section 34, Floyd, was
born in Franklin County, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1824, and is a son of
David Coley, a native of Dutchess County. He graduated in 1846
from the New York State Normal School, at Albany. He taught
in Oxford and Oswego academies, N. Y. In March, 1855, he came
to this county; was the first settler on the prairie northwest of
Charles City, and plowed the first furrow. He was married in
1864 to Rosalie M. Willoughby, who died in 1862. Of their chil-
dren two are living — Ellen and Amy. He was Township Trustee
six years. President of the School Board four years, and was
elected County Surveyor, but declined to serve.
Jesse Edwards^ born in Huntingdon County, Penn., Sept. 26,
1828, is a son of Joshua Edwards, a native of the same State. He
came to Iowa in 1854, first going to Dubuque County, and in 1856
coming to this county. He learned the trade of a carpenter when
twenty years of age, and has always followed that occupation. He
built most of the houses in Floyd ; also built the flour-mill here. He
was married in October, 1856, to Maria A. Magill. Of their two
children only one is living — Jennie. Mrs. Edwards died in 1863,
and Oct. 31, 1866, he married Mrs. A. E. Buckley; they have one
child — Myrtle. He has been County Trustee three terms, and
on the School Board several years. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
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HISTORY or FLOYD COUNTY.
Albert S. Griffith was born Oct. 26, 1^36, in Chagrin FalU, a
roile and a half from the birthplace of Garfield, attending the aame
church with him when a boj, and being personally acquainted
with biro. He went with his parents to Kane County, 111., in
1850; to McIIenry- County, 111., in 1851, and came to this county
in 1853 and settled in Rock Orove. In 1859 ho went to Arkansas,
and in 1860 to Louisa, Ky.; from there to Indiana and sold fruit
trees around Winchester ; then went to Indianapolis and secured a
position in the Commissary Department, but soon after joined the
Eighteenth Indiana Regimental Band and served one year. In
1862 he went to Helena, Ark.; January, 1863, came back to this
county ; June, 1863, to Columbus, Ky., and in October of 1863
came back to this county. In the fall of 1863 he went to Osage
and ran the Monitor House one year ; then returned to Floyd and
ran the hotel here one year. In the spring of 1866 moved to
Nebraska; peddled groceries and provisions to the hands on the
17. P. R. Rm when it was building ; in the fall of 1866 returned to
Floyd and engaged in the mercantile business; in a few years sold
out and bought an interest in the flour-mill now owned by Haven,
Griffith & Harwood ; in 1874 resumed the mercantile business in
which he is doing well; keeps a full line of general stock. He was
married Nov. 1, 1863, to Mary A. Rice, daughter of Andrew Rice,
now of Mitchell County, Kas. They have two children — Lillian
E. and Clarance H. Mr. Griffith's father, James Griffith, was born
in the Mohawk Yalley, N. Y., and moved to Illinois in 1850,
and to this county in 1853, where he entered 700 acres of land for
himself and others. At that time the nearest postoffice was
Bradford, thirty miles distant. He married Abiah Storr. They
had nine children, six grew to be men and women — Harriet L,,
Henry L., Sarah J., Albert S., Almira M., and Elizabeth M. (now
deceased).
Henry Ingram^ born in County Derry, Ireland, June 4, 1811, is
a son of William Ingram, a native of Cambridgeshire, England,
who was an officer of the English army, and died when Henry
was but seven months old. He came to America, going first to
Vermont in 1830; from there, in 1847, to Massachusetts; in 1852
went to California, and in July, 1853, back to Massachusetts. In
1854 he came to this county. He was married in 1834 to Ann
Sharkey. They have six children — Mary A., Ellen, Margaret,
Jane, Sarah and Lizzie. Mrs. Ingram died Sept. 21, 1880. The
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 828
faniilj are members of the Catholic chnroh. He is a member of
the Alliance, also of the Mntnal Insurance Company.
Alfred C. Judsoiiy born in Delaware County, N. Y., March 37,
1845, is a son of Tarsus Judson, a native of New York, and now
a resident of Floyd, aged seventy-eight years. He was educated in
the common schools of Ogle County, III., where he went with his
parents in 1854. In the fall of 1865 he went to Markesan, Green
Lake County, Wis., where\he learned the trade of harness<making,
which he has continued to work at till the present time. In 1878
he came to Floyd County and went into business for himself. He
does first-class work and has a good and increasing trade. He was
married Oct. 17, 1879, to Isabelle Moon.
Peter D. MeKimUy born in Quebec, May 28, 1888, is a son of
Dugald McKinzie, a native of Scotland. He was educated in an ac-
ademy in Quebec. In 1871 he went to Massachusetts and resided in
Lowell till February, 1880, when he came to Floyd County. He
was married in October, 1865, in Ontarioi to Margaret Shields, sec-
ond cousin of General Shields. They have two children — Lizzie and
Belle. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
resides on section 21, Floyd Township; owns 181 acres and is
engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Ira M. Merrtmariy born in Hadley, Canada East, Sept. 8, 1819>
was a son of Amasa Merriman, a native of Hartford, Conn., who
settled in Canada in an early day. He received his education at
Georgeville, Canada, and at Newbury, Vt. He went to Clinton,
111., in 1843, and to Beloit, Wis., in 1845. In May, 1861, he came
to Floyd County and bought a stock of groceries and dry goods;
carried on the mercantile business most of the time for ten years.
For the past ten years has kept the Stage House. Has been Post-
master and a notary public for the last fifteen years. Has been
Township Clerk since 1864. He was married May 29, 1842, to Bel-
inda R. Webster. Of their four children, three are living — Helen
A., Araasa H. and Willie H. They are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
James Morrison^ section 13, Floyd Township, was born in
East Leathers, Scotland, Feb. 9, 1828. He is a son of James Mor-
rison, also a native of Scotland. When fifteen years of age he went
to sea; sailed a year and a half and landed in New York City in
1846. He lived in Tioga County, Penn., two years, and a few
months in New Jersey. He then lived in Livingston County, N.
Y., several years, and in 1855 came to this county and worked at
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884 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
the carpenter's trade; is also a millwright. He was married Not.
17, 1858, to Jane Shaw, a native of Antrim Ooanty, Ireland, a
daughter of Benjamin Shaw. Thej have four children — William
W., James 6., Helen M. and Agnes J. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity.
William Mi/rae^ born in Waterbnry, Washington County, Vf.,
Jan. 15, 1834, is a son of Leonard L. Morse, a native of Massachu-
setts, who moved with his family to Will County, 111., in the
spring of 1834; to Whitesides County, III, about 1836; to Mc-
Henry County, 111., in 1842; and to California in 1847. In 184»
he went back to Vermont, and in 1850 to McHenry County, 111.,
and to Chickasaw County, la., 1858. In the same year William
Morse came to this county, and bought the land he now occupies.
He went to Rice County, Minn., in 1855, and in 1858 came here,
and settled on section 8, Floyd Township. He was married, Jan.
23, 1855, to Lucinda O. Horton. Of their seven children six are
living — Adella, Charles E., Ida M., Anna E., Frank L. and Will*
iam H. He has been Township Trustee, Constable and School
Treasurer.
Harry M. Nye^ deceased, was born in Vermont, Jan. 12, 1819.
When about twenty years of age he went to Lake County, III.,
where, in 1843, he married Rachel J. Hubbard. Of their four
children two are living — Mrs. Mary E. Rice and Charles E. Nye.
He came to this county in February, 1855, and settled on section
22, Floyd Township, where the family still live. He was a member
of the Baptist church, becoming a Christian in early life. He was
hospitable and generous, always aiding in building churches and
schools. He helped organize the first Sunday-school in Floyd.
He died Sept. 24, 1881. He was a kind, affectionate husband and
father, honest, upright and industrious, always one of the first in
every good word and work.
Hershel J, Perrin^ son of Ephraim Perrin, was born in Wash-
ington County, N. Y., May 24, 1836. His parents dying, he was
thrown on his own resources at the age of eleven. He lived with
Rev. Thos. Lang, near West Pawlet, Vt., one year; with Mr. Nelson,
of Hebron, four years; and then worked by the month till nearly
twenty-one. In the spring of 1857 he came West to Minnesota,
and in July, 1857, he came to this county. He enlisted in the late
war, in Company G, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry. He was at
Pleasant Hill, etc.; afterward on detached service in the pioneer
corps. Ho was married Jan. 28, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin have
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 826
five 6hildren — Harriet J., Alicia M., Epbraim H., Nora and Ester
E. He resides on section 28, Floyd Township.
Willard Ferririy born in Windsor County, Vt, Dec. 13, 1854,
is a son of William Perrin, of the same county. He came to
Floyd County in 1874, and worked on a farm one year. He
derked for Griffith two years and in a drug store one year; then,
in 1878, he went into business for himself, selling drugs, groceries,
hardware and school books; capital stock, $1,200 to $1,500. He
does an annual business of $5,000. He was married in January,
1876, to Belle Ramsey. They have two children — Percy and Edna.
Solomon A. Quinby, born in Brookfield, Vt., March 21, 1821,
is a son of Jonathan Quinby. He came to Floyd County in 1858.
He is a contractor and bridge-builder. He lives on his farm of
180 acres, on section 21, Floyd Township. He was married
in Chelsea, Vt., Sept. 17, 1845, to Harriet S. Wood worth, a
native of that place, born Dec. 10, 1822. Of their eight children
six are living — Laura, Albert, Cassius, Carrie, Sarah and Edith.
One daughter, EHen, died in Vermont at the age of ten years .
JRohert J. Rankin^ bom in Burlington, Vt., Nov. 3, 1841,
is a son of Hugh Rankin, a native of Ireland, who came to America
about 1884. They moved to Messina, N. Y., in 1844. He was
reared and educated there, and in 1858 came West and settled in
Dane County, Wis., and in 1861 came in this county and settled
in Floyd Village, where he lived till the spring of 1882, when he
moved to the farm on section 19, and is dealing in stock. He
was married Nov. 2, 1867, to Almira, daughter of James
Qriffith, deceased. She is a native of Ohio. They have one
child — George. His father resides with him. He has been Con-
stable for the past eighteen years. Mrs. Rankin was a neighbor
of James A. Qarfield.
Ffunk Raymond^ farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, Floyd
Township, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. T., April
27, 1844. He is a son of James Raymond, with whom he came
West in 1850, going tirst to Wisconsin, and in 1852 to Illinois, and
in 1855 coming to Floyd County. He owns forty acres of laud. He
was married Jan. 29, 1872, to Mary Johnson. They have two
children — Bert and Lou. He has been School Director for several
years.
James Raymond^ born in Cornwall, Canada, June 5, 1830, is a
son of James Raymond, who moved with his family to New York
State in 1834, and to Fond du Lac County, Wis., in 1850 ; from
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
there to McHenry Coantj, 111., la the spring of 1852, and in Jane,
1855, came to this county and settled in Floyd Township, where
he died July 9, 1879. James, Jr., was married Nov. 12, 1871, to
Mrs. Maria L. Dennison. She had one son — George Dennison.
They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Luther Raymond^ farmer and stock-raiser, section 8, Floyd
Township, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., July 20, 1848.
He is also a son of James Baymond, who came West in 1850, and
came to this county in 1855. He was reared on a farm and received
his education in the common schools. He was married April
9, 1879, to Alecta J. Lone, danghter of Michael Lone. They had
one child — Robert W, He owns 100 acres of well-improved land.
Norman A. BicCy farmer and stock-raiser, section 31, Fioyd
Township, was born in Belchertown, Hampshire County, Mass.,
Dec. 15, 1817, and is a son of David Rice, a native of Guil-
ford, Vt. He came West and settled in Walworth County,
Wis., in 1842. In September, 1852, he came to this county and
settled in the wilderness. He now has 195 acres of well-improved
land. He married, in 1845, Eliza Holcomb, who died in 186^. In
1866 he married Mary Shannon. He has been Township Trustee
several y^rs; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
D. J. Richards J carpenter; postoffice, Floyd; son of David and
Elizabeth (Shafer) Richards, natives of New York State and Penn-
sylvania respectively; they lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and In-
diana. David died in Ohio and Elizabeth in Indiana. They had ten
children and D. J. is the seventh child; he was born in Lancaster,
Penn., Feb. 14, 1832, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1841,
where he was educated and learned his trade, which he has followed
since. In 1869 he came to Floyd County and went to manufactur-
ing brick; this he sold and bought a farm of seventy-eight acres
on section 10, Floyd Township, where he now lives. In 1856 he
married Elmira Riley, native of Ohio; they have been blessed with
ten children, nine living— Corbin B., born Jan. 27, 1858; Eliza-
beth, born 1860; Jessa, William Scott, Mary Alice, Charles Henry,
Albert G., Frederick, Perly Gynette, Bertha. Mr. Richards votes
the Republican ticket.
Andrew P. Beaton^ born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Nov. 28,
1823, is a son of Leonard Seaton, a native of Canada. He resided
on a farm till he was sixteen, his education being obtained in the
common schools. His father was a tanner and currier and he learned
the trade when a boy, and worked at it fourteen years, and
I
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FLOYD TOWNSHn*. 827
worked at farming fourteen jeare. In 1870 he came to this county
and settled in Floyd Township. He owns a good farm on section
23. In 1874 he jnoved into Floyd and sold goods a while. He
was Justice of the Peace in 1874, and again in 1876. In 1878
he refused the office, but was elected again in 1880. He was mar-
ried in Watertown, N. Y., in 1846, to Laura A, Ferguson. Of
their five children, four are living — Oren A., James H., George F.
and Clara J.
Philip Sharkey^ born in Ireland, Aug. 1, 1826, is a son of John
Sharkev, a native of Ireland, who came to America and settled in
Vermont in 1831, where Philip was reared and educated. He went
to Hampshire County, Mass., in 1846, and came to this county in
1854, settling on section 12, this township. He was married
Oct. 28, 1853, to Mary Maley. They are the parents of seven
children, five of whom are living-^ Wm. L., Thos. J., Chas. A.,
Mary A. and Martha J. One son, John P., died at the age of
Eighteen, and another, George H., at the age of three. He has
been School Director fifteen years; was President of the Board of
Education six years, Township Trustee, and Assessor two terms.
The family are members of the Catholic church.
Ahner O. B. Smithy born in Williston, Vt, Feb. 21, 1827, is a
son of rHiram Smith, also a native of Yermont He was educated
in Burlington, Vt., and in 1850 came West to Kenosha County, Wis.
He freighted there most of the time till 1860, when he came to
this county. He sold goods in Floyd and Garner, la., for about
eight years. He owns 168 acres in this'county, 160 in Hancodk
County, and 160 in Nebraska. He resides on section 8, Floyd
Township. His son, Horace W., is a physician in Garner, a grad-
uate of Rush Medical College. He was married in 1849 to Char-
lotte Pierce* They have four children — Alvin J., Horace W.,
Florence H., and Ida. Mrs. Smith died in 1860.
Henry D, Sprague^ son of Henry Sprague, of Cattaraugus
Oonnty, N. Y., was born in Steuben County,^. Y., Dec. 20, 1836.
He went with his parents to Jasper County, Ind., in 1845, and
to Buchanan County, Iowa, in 1854. In the fall of 1864 he
came to Charles City where he has since resided, with the
exception of one season spent in the Bocky Mountains in the
mines. He took a trip into Oregon in 1874. Jan. 19, 1862, in
Hockford, this county, he was married to Charlotte Welch. Of
their six children five are living — Clara J., William E., James
£.5 Denny O., and Henry W. Nellie M. is deceased. He resided
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
in Ulster Township till March 1, 1882, when he took charge of
the infirmary in Floyd. Has held the office of Oounty Sapervisor
for Ulster, three years.
William Sprague^ f^irmer; postoffice Floyd; son of Samuel and
Rachel (Skelton) Sprague, natives of New York; they came to Illi-
nois in 1844 and Samuel died there. William was born April 9,
1830, in New York, and educated there and in Illinois; he has
always followed farming. In 1855 he came to Iowa and bought his
present farm of 160 acres o?i section 29, Floyd Township,
which he has ander a fine state of cultivation. In 1853 he married
Eliza M., daughter of William H. and Lavinia (Edmunds) Otis
They have three children — ^Julia, born July 16, 1854, wife of Noah
S. Naden, of Mitchell Connty; Mary S., born April 13, 1864; Will-
iam Otis, born May 5, 1873, Mr. Sprague and wife are members
of M. E. church of Floyd. Mr. Sprague has held several of the
township offices, and has faithfully discharged the duties of each.
He votes the Republican ticket.
Franois M. Wheatj farmer and stock- raiser, section 23,
Floyd Township, was born in Delaware Oounty, N. Y., Feb. 14,
1830, a son of William Wheat, a native of Oonnecticut. He was
reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools
and at Delaware Literary Institute of Franklin, N. Y. He came
to Floyd Oounty, going first to Oharles Oity in 1857; in June,
1859, moved on to his present farm of 150 acres. He was
marriexi Jan. 10, 1854, to Lydia E. Richmond, daughter of John
Richmond of Sehafhausen, Switzerland, who served under Napoleon
Bonaparte for three years and was carried prisoner to the Isle of
Malta and kept two years, when, as the only means of escape, he
enlisted in the British army and was brought to Oanada, and from
there escaped to America. He settled in Schoharie Oounty, N. Y.,
and reared a family of seven daughters and one son. He died in
1874.
Jacob Whitbecky born in Montgomery Oounty, N. Y., Jan. 8,
1820, is a son of Robert Whitbeck, a native of Kinderhook, N. Y.
He was educated in the common schools of his native county. In
1853 he moved to Rockford, 111., and in 1856 came to this county.
Ilis house was the first one finished in the village of Floyd. He is
a mason by trade but has followed farming and stock-raising since
coming here. He owns 165 acres of land on section 19 . He
was married in August, 1840, to Mary Fero. Of their ten children
only six are living — Henry, Nettie, Oharles, Ella, William [and
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FLOYD TOWNSHIP. 8J9
Lizzie. Ono son, Albert, died at the ^ge of tweotj-two ; one,
Jacob, was drowned while swimminjif in a pond, July 4, 1868, aged
fourteen. Mr. Whitbeck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church ; he helped to haul the lumber, gave largely in money and
helped build the Methodist Episcopal church. Ue has done much
tor the public interests of Floyd. He and P. Sharkey were the
committee who condemned the courthouse at Charles City.
Hefi'vey Wilbur was born May 4, 1811, in Chathan^, Columbia
Oounty, N. Y. His father and grandfather were natives of Rhode
Island, but immigrated in an early day to Columbia County,
N. Y., where they experienced all the hardships of pioneer farmers.
In 1814 his father removed to Otsego County, N. Y., where he
lived till 1857. He was married ^an. 1, 1840, to Angeline Moore,
-daughter of Philip Moore, who was a native of New Jersey. He
was both farmer and carpenter. While in New York Mr. Wilbur
was honored with the offices of School Inspector, School Commis-
sioner, Town Inspector of Schools, Justice of the Peace, etc. He
was a Democrat and was defeated for County Superintendent and
member of the Legislature, at the split of that party into ^'Hunkers"
and " Barn-burners. '* In 1857 he came to Iowa with his wife and
Bix children. They have one son, bom in the '* Hawkeye" State.
The most of his family are living at Charles City, la. He entered
the State as a Democrat and continued with that party till the war
of the Kebellion, when he was a Union man from the first, and the
<^lose of the Rebellion found him, as he is now, a Bepublican. He
is a school teacher by occupation, but was engaged in farming a
portion of the time while in New York. He has held the offices
of Justice of the Peace, County Superintendent of Schools and
Oounty Treasurer since coming to Floyd County.
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NILE8 TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIC.
This is township No. 96 north, range 16 west. It was formed
March 6, 1858, by S. B. Starr, acting Judge, and was organized
April 14 following. It contains thirty-five full sections. Jan. 12,
1859, the south three-fourths of section 31, township 96, 15, was
detached from this township and attached to St. Charles Township;
and the north half sections 1 to 6 inclusive, of township 95, 15, wa»
detached from St. Charles Township and attached to Niles; D.
Bipley, Judge. At the June session, 1862, the west half of section
18, township 96, 15, was detached from Floyd and attached ta
JNiles, and the south three-fourths of section 31, township 96, 15,
was detached from St. Charles and attached to Niles; also, the
north half of sections 1 to 5 inclusive, of township 95, 15, were
transferred from Niles to St. Charles.
GENEEAX HISTORY.
This township was named after Niles, Mich. The first election
was held in April, 1858, and J. B. Dawley, N. Dutcher and Ira
Shaw were! elected Trustees; Amos Refsnider, Clerk; Tilley Gil
bert and Newman Dutcher, Justices of the Peace; Henry Green,.
Constable. The Little Cedar runs diagonally through the entire
township, commencing on section 6 and leaving the township on
section 36; this stream and its tributaries waters and drains the
township; the Beaver is one of the tributaries which begins on sec-
tion 2 and leaves the township on section 24. The general charac-
ter of the soil is black sand, with here and there light clay and
sand. The lay of the land is a gentle rolling prairie with patches
of blackjack, bur oak, and a few white ones in the southern and
western portions and along the Cedar.
J. H. Pitcher entered the first land in the township in 1853. J.
B. Dawley, Joseph Beckwith and E. K. Ash were the first settlers
in the township; they located in 1864, coming from the States of
Michigan, Indiana and New York respectively.
(880)
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KILB8 TOWNSHIP. 881
The first couple married of the township was J. H. Pitcher and
Frances L. Datcher. There being no Justice of the Peace in the
township they went to Charles City, and were married there Jan.
18, 1866.
Emily J. Beckwith was the first white child bom in the town-
ship. She was born May 13, 1855, and was a daughter of Joseph
and Lndnda (Wood) Beckwith.
The first death was that of Mrs. N. Dutcher, who died Sep-
tember, 1866.
The number of school-houses in the township is nine; the
value of school property is $5,500. Number of persons of school
age, 372 — ^males 190, females 182; average daily attendance, 125.
Average number of months schooling during year, seven. Total
amount of teachers' fund, March 14, 1881, $2,258.61; amount paid
teachers, $1,288.25; $259 tuition to Cedar Township; balance
on hand March 13, 1882, $967.77. Average amount paid male
teachers per mouth, $26.20; average amount paid female teachers
per month, $19.96. Each district is provided with one copy of
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. The school-houses all are
seated with a patent seat and desk. The average cost of tuition
per scholar, per month, is — winter, $1.84; summer, $1.92, or $1.88
per year.
One mill per dollar is voted for township road tax.
BIOGRAFHIOAX.
Timothy Billings^ farmer and stock-raiser; postoffice, Niles;
son of Timothy and Margaret (McTaggart) Billings, natives of
Vermont and Scotland respectively. They came to Iowa in 1854,
being about the first to locate in Niles Township, where Indians
were more plentiful than white men. There was a family of chil-
dren, of which Timothy was the fifth; he was bom jn Canada, Oct.
6, 1846. He had the privileges of a common-school education in
Iowa of an early day, and worked on the farm with his father until
he was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Fourth lawa
Cavalry, Company H, Capt. S. S. Troy, and served till the end of
the war. He was in the siege of Memphis ; Tupelo, Miss.; Selma,
Ala.; Jackson, Miss.; Nashville, Tenn., and Columbus, Ga.; also
in some twenty-five other minor battles in Tennessee, Mississippi,
Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas, serving under Generals Sher-
man, Wilson, Grierson and Grant, and was discharged in August,
51
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882 HI8T0BT OP FLOYD COUNTY.
1865, at Davenport. After leaving the army he spent three years
in the gold mines of Montana, where he made 9 good '^ stake.''
On returning to the States in 1869, he married Catherine E.,
daughter of Henry and Mary (Waters) Cobough, natives of Penn-
sylvania, where Henry died. Mrs. Billings was bom in Pennsyl-
vania, Oct. 10, 1846. By this union there are two children — Daisy
May, born Oct. 29, 1870; Isora Elizabeth, born June 27, 1874.
Mr. Billings has held several of the offices of the township, and haa
faithfully discharged every trust. He votes the Republican ticket.
Mr. Billings owns 720 acres of fine land on sections 8, 9, 4 and 20,
the most of which is finely improved. He is an influential and
respected citizen of the county.
Theodore OooUy farmer ;postoffice, Niles; was born in Cattaraugus
County, N. Y., July 27, 1836, where he was educated and lived
until 1854; he then moved to Illinois and lived there two years*
In 1856 he came to Iowa, and located in Niles Township. He
now owns 200 acres of fine land on sections 9 and 8. He is the
son of Howland and Eunice (La Barron) Coon, natives of New
York State, where they now live. In 1856 he married Paulina,
daughter of William and Susan (Miller) Gillott, natives of England
and Vermont respectively. They moved to Niles Township in
1854, where Mr. Gillott died in 1880. Susan was born in Ver-
mont, June 30, 1833. This union has been blessed with two-
children — John Elmer, born July 28, 1862; Ulysses Grant, Oct.
28, 1867. Mr. Coon votes the Eepublican ticket.
Joseph B. Dawley^ farmer, section 18, Niles Township, is a
native of New York, and was born in Frankfort, Herkimer County,
June 10, 1809. ^His parents were Ebenezer and Mary (Babcock)
Dawley; he was a farmer and a native of Rhode Island; she of
New Jersey. They were members of the Baptist church, and have
a family of four sons and seven daughters. Joseph B. was the
third son; he worked on a farm with his father, and attended
school until eighteen, when he moved with his parents to Oneida
County, N. Y., and remained there on a farm five years, then
returned to Herkimer County, and married Mary Coolidge, on
Oct. 26, 1831. She was bom in Frankfort, N. Y., a daughter
of Warren and Kachael (Swift) Coolidge. Ho farmed in Her*
kimer County two years, then went to Oneida County and pur-
chased a farm, and remained until 1835, when he sold out and
went to Hillsdale County, Mich. He cleared a hundred acres ot
heavy timber laud for a farm, and remained there farming and
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NILB8 TOWNSHIP. 833
fighting ague until October, 1853, when he came to Charles City,
Flojd County, la., and went to where Floyd now is, and bought
the farm he now lives on, and built the first house in Floyd,
Floyd County. Mr. and Mrs. Dawley have five children, viz.:
Mary, wife of C. P. Hubbard, a farmer of Todd County, Minn.;
Lorenzo J., a carpenter and joiner, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Lovina,
wife of P. F. Allison, a farmer in Floyd Township, Floyd County;
Joanna 8., wife of L. L. Hill, a farmer in St. Charles Township,
and Horace J., farming with his father. Mr. Dawley owns a fine
farm of 213 acres, under good cultivation and well stocked. He
is one of the enterprising farmers, representative men and old
settlers of Floyd County, having been identified here since 1853,
before this county was organized. He has seen this county change
from its wild, uncultivated state to its present prosperous condition.
He has held various offices of trust; he has been County Super-
visor and Assessor; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1858, and
held that office some five years. In politics he was first a Jackson
Democrat, and cast his first vote for old Hickory, and at the or-
ganization of the Bepublican party became one of its strong sup-
porters.
Newma/n Dutoher^ carpenter and joiner, and farmer, postoffice
Oharles City; is a son of Wherton and Eleanor (Wheeler) Dutcher,
natives of New York, where they died. Newman was born May
3, 1813, and was educated in New York, where he learned his trade
and worked until he came to Ohio in 1846; here he farmed and
worked at his fcrade nine years; then sold out and located in Green
County, Wis., remaining there some three years; then he came to Iowa
in 1856, and located on his present farm of 100 acres on sections 33
and 32, Niles Township. In 1833 he married Jane Morrison ; there
were three children by this union, one living — Frances, wife of
James Pitcher, of Niles Township. Frederick, born Nov. 15, 1834;
in 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, Captain
Slocum; he was taken sick and was in the hospital eight months,
and died in December, 1863. Wherton, born Jan. 11, 1840, and
enlisted May, 1861, in the Third Iowa Infantry; he served two
years, two months, participating in the battles of Missouri and
seige of Vicksbnrg and many other hard-fought battles; he was
killed at the second taking of Jackson, Mississippi, July 12, 1863.
Mrs. Dutcher died Dec. 19, 1841. Mr. Dutcher married in 1843,
Mary E. Stoter; she was born in Connecticut There were siz
children by this union, four living — Jane Ann, born 1849, wife of
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834 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOITNTY.
Levi Knapp, of Ringgold Couatj, la.; Abby, born 1852, wife of
John Ellis, of Niles Township; Newman, born in November, 1855;
Albert, born 1845; he enlisted in the Twelfth Iowa and was dis-
elmrged for disability. On regaining^his health, he re-enlisted in the
Fourteenth Wisconsin Battery, and was permanently disabled and is
now in the Soldier's Home at Dayton, O. Mary E, Dutcher died
Sept. 8, 1856. In 1857 Mr. Dutcher married Mary L., daughter of
John and Charlotte (Tyler) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and New
York respectively. She was born in New York, Aug. 28, 1836-
This union has been blessed with nine children, eight living — Ida
C, born Oct. 3,1858; John W., born Dec. 27, 1859; Eugene S.,
June 11, 1862; Nettie., Feb. 21, 1864; Mabel T., Aug. 29, 1866;
Lnella (deceased), born in 1869; Charles K., born May 21, 1870;
Blanch Estelle, born May 21, 1875, and Arthur B., born Aug. 4,
1877. Mr. Dutcher and wife are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. Mr. Dutcher votes the Greenback ticket. He has
held several township offices, and has faithfully discharged his duty.
Horace L. Oreen^ farmer; postoffice, Charles City; was born Feb.
18, 1818, in New York. He is the son of Amos and Olive (Miller)
Green, natives of Massachusetts and New York. They came to
Iowa many years ago and died in this county. Amos was a soldier
of the war of 1812. Horace was educated in New York, by three
day's schooling only. He followed farming until twenty-one years of
age, then went upon the lakes and canal, where he worked seven
years; he was pilot and wheelsman. In 18 i7 he married Temper-
ance Hettinger. She was the widow of Alex. Hettinger, by whom
she had two children — Mary, wife of A. J. Allison, of Minneap-
olis; Franklin, who served three years in the army and now lives
in Cedar Township. Her father was a soldier in the Black Hawk
war and died, as did his wife, in Floyd County, la., where they
were old settlers. Horace came to Iowa in 1855, and bought hit
present farm of 180 acres of land, which is finely improved ; he
lives on section 5, Niles Township. This union has been blessed
with five children — A. O., born March 26, 1848, married; Samuel
v., Oct. 17, 1852, married; Laura, deceased; Eva, May 25, 1861,
wite of James Sultiff, of Minneapolis; Stacy E., born May 26,
1864. Mr. and Mrs. Green are members of the Wesleyan Methodist
church. Mr. Green has held several of the township offices and
ha=i faithfully performed his duties; he is also director and stock-
holder in the county fair. He votes the Republican ticket.
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KILBS TOWNSHIP. 835
/
Edwin KUnefop^ farmer; 'po8tofflce, Charles City; was born in
Pennsylvania, March 9, 1828. He was educated in his native
State, and in Illinois, where he studied surveyinoj, which he has
practiced since coming to Floyd County; has also been County Sur*
veyor. In 1854 he came to Iowa and in 1855 located on his pres-
ent ferm of* 350 acres of very choice land on section 32, Niles
Township, and section 5, St. Charles Township. In 1856 he mar-
ried Emma, daughter of Joseph Isaac and Eh'zabeth (Hale) Bas-
sett, natives of England; she was born in England, April 27, 1840.
Her father and mother came to America, and they both died here,
the mother soon after coming, by disease contracted on shipboard.
This union has been blessed with six children,' five living — W. B.,
born Jan. 23, 1859; Charles W., Nov. 15, 1863; Mary Elizabeth,
Oct. 2, 1865; Arthur Fry, June 30, 1868; and Frank Lewie, June
2, 1878. Mr. Klinetop and wife are members of the M. E. church.
Mr. Klinetop is a. member of the A. F. & A. M» fraternity; he
has also held several township offices. He votes the Republican
ticket. Has been a prosperous, and is a greatly respected, citizen.
Evelina Leeaon was born in Ohio, Oct. 7, 1833; she is a daugh-
ter of Charles and Elizabeth (Funk) Wade, natives of New Jersey,
and Ohio. Her father died in Ohio. Mrs. Wood moved to Nashua,
la., and married Leonard Montgomery; she now lives in Cherokee
Connty. In January, 1858, Evelina married John Fate. They
moved to Iowa in 1858, and purchased her present farm of eighty
acres on section 12. He lived here until 1863, when, on tJie 27tU
day of July, he was struck by lightning, from the effects of which
he died, Aug. 1. By this marriage there were three children —
Sarah Elizabeth, born March 4, 1854, wife of Louis Snider^ of
Chickasaw County, la.; Martin, born Oct. 9, 1857; and Francis,
deceased. In 1864 Mrs. Fate married Merenius Leeson, by whom
slie has one child — Gertrude, born Feb. 12, 1865. Mrs. Leeson is
much respected by her friends.
Patrick 0 Hara^ farmer; P. O., Niles; son of Thomas and Mary
(McElroy) O Hara, natives of Ireland. They came to the Uni-
ted States in 1846, and located in Lake County, III., where they
lived until 1855, when they moved to Iowa, and located in Niles
Township, where they died, he in 1867, and she in 1875. They had
•even children, five living — Bridget, Patrick, John, Mary, Catharine
and Thomas. Bridget died at thirteen years of age; Julia died
in infancy. Patrick was born in Ireland, Connty Caven, March
14, 1835. He was educated in Lake County, 111. In 1871 he mar-
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886 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ried Honora Holland, a native of Ireland, born May 28, 1849.
Ey this marriage there were six children, five living — Thomas
JameSfborn Mar. 8, 1872; Mary Agnes, Aug. 6, 1873; John Cain,
Oct. 29, 1876; Patrick Peter, Dee. 5, 1878; Timothy Francis, Dec.
5, 1880. Mr. O Hara and wife are members of the Catholic church •
Mr. O Hara has held the office of Township A63e8sor. He votes
the Greenback ticket. Mr. O Hara owns 160 acres of fine land on
section 18, mostly under good cultivation.
e/. jET. Pitcher^ farmer; P. O., Charles City; son of Eliakim and
Margaret (Chambers) Pitcher, natives of Massachusetts and New
York respectively. J. H. was born in Cattaraugus County, N.T,,
Jan. 27, 1829. He was educated there and in Illinois, whore his
parents came when he was fourteen years of age. Mrs. Pitcher
died in Illinois, where Eliakim still resides. J, H. lived at home
until twenty-six years of age, then came to Iowa and settled on land
he had previously entered (130 acres) on section 82, Niles Town*
ship, Jan. 18, 1856. He married Frances L., daughter of Newman
and Jane (Morrison) Dutcher, living in Niles Township. She was
born Aug. 21, 1836. Tiiis union has been blessed with six chil-
dren—Mary Ella, born Nov. 7, 1856; Flora Jane, Nov. 12, 1859;
Fannie Amelia, Dec. 8, 1862; Ma;,'gie Delphine, July 24, 1864;
Harvey Newman, Oct. 12, 1869; Addie, April 2, 1875. Mr. and
Mrs. Pitcher are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Pitcher has
held most of the township offices, and has discharged his duties
faithfully. He votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the relia-
ble and enterprising men of Niles Township. During the war he
sent a man to serve three years, giving him twenty acres of fine
land therefor. Few men ever gave this as a free-will offering.
J. C. Staebler^ farmer and millwright; postoffice, Niles; son of
Michael and Anna Margaret (Hurr) Staebler, natives of Wurtem-
berg, Germany. They came to the United States in 1801, and
located in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1856, when they
came to Iowa, where they died. J. 0. was born in Pennsylvania,
Oct. 20, 1829, where he was educated and learned the trade of
millwright, which he followed, in connection with running millSi
until 1875. He came to Iowa in 1878, and now owns 145 acres of
fine land on sections 5 and 23, mostly under a good state of culti-
vation. In 1864 he married Eliza Jane, daughter of Stephen
Decatur and Helena (Flick) Rader, natives of Pennsylvania, where
they now live. By this union there are five children— Charles E.,
born Dec. 10, 1864; Alice Amandi, Sept. 29, 1866; George W.,
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NILE8 TOWNSHIP. 887
July 4, 1869; William Harrison, Jan. 14, 1872; Stephen Decatur,
April 9, 1876. Mr. Staebler votes for the best men. He raises
fine stock.
John Zimmary farmer; postofSce, Niles; son of John and Eath-
erina (Wolff) Zimmar, natives of Germany, where they died; was
bom Ang. 30, 1836, and was educated in Germany, where he
worked in a vineyard until he came to the United States in 1853;
located in Berrien County, Mich., where he lived «till 1866, when
he came to Iowa. He owns 180 acres of fine land on section 10,
Niles Township, where he lives. In 1860 he married Eatherine,
daughter of David and Barbara (Eurle) Eidler, natives of Ger-
many, where they died. Katherine was bom June 28, 1838. This
union has been blessed with eleven children, ten living — John
Godfrey, bom Sept. 30, 1861; Mary Sophia, April 11, 1863; Lillie
Jane, June 2, 1865; Gynette, Oct. 11, 1867 (deceased); David
William, July 3, 1868; Wilhelmina Katherina, July 20, 1870;
Christian Charles, Feb. 16, 1873; Jacob Frederick, Jan. 12, 1875;
Carolina Evalina, Aug. 24:, 1877; Abraham Isaac, March 5,
1879; and Katie Belle, Nov. 5, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmar are
members of the Advent church. Mr. Zimmar is a Trustee of the
township, and has held several township offices. He votes the
Greenback ticket.
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIC.
Pleasant Grove Township, conoiprising township 94 north, range
16 west, lies in the southern tier of townships of Flojd County,
second west from the eastern line, joining Kiverton Township on
the west and Union Township on the 'east. It was formerly a
part of Biverton and Union townships, and was organized as a
township of Floyd County in 1867, by setting off the east half
of this congressional township, 94 north, range 16 west, from
Biverton, and the west half, which was a part of Union, thus
forming the whole and the only township in the county whose
boundaries are identical with the congressional numbers and the
United States survey (1867).
During thieyear a petition was circulated by Washington Young,
(one of the early settlers, and now of Verndale, Warden County,
Minn.), praying for an organization of the congressional town-
ship 94 north, range 16 west, as a township of Floyd County,
to be known as ** Pleasant Grove." To this he obtained the sig-
natures of those residing within the boundaries. This petition
was presented at the meeting of the Board of Supervisors at their
June session, and the petition was allowed. And so congressional
township 94 north, of range 16 west, was recorded and christened
Pleasant Grove.
THE KAMB.
Of the origin of the name we give credit to Mrs. Susan Young,
wife of Washington Young. It was undoubtedly suggested from
the noun grove^ this word having been applied to that locality as
long ago as the first pioneers' settlement, as '' Hecard's Grove,"
later on as "Bipley's Grove," etc. To the name as a township
name there was at first some opposition, but the majority of the
petitioners being convinced that the territory was in every respect
a *' pleasant" one, and certainly, in that neighborhood, arborious,
they carried the day.
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PLRASANT GKOVK TOWNSHIP. 839
THE FIB8T BLBOTIOH.
The first general election was held in the old log house, built by
Joseph Eipley in the " Grove," owned then bj Christopher or
" Chris" Clark, and now the property of Lewis Forthun. *' *Lec-
tions " were held there that first year; the next in the board shanty
of Henry M. Smith. The first election was organized by J. B. W.
Montague, County Clerk, assisted by H. O. Pratt.
The second general election was at the house of H. "W". Smith,
Nov. 3 1868. Total number of votes cast, fifty, being a gain of
nineteen in one year.
The following are the names of the persons elected: County
Supervisor, J. E. Butler; Justices of the Peace, S. L. Reynolds,
Isaac Newton ; Trustees and Judges of Election, H. W. Smith,
David McMurray, Isaac Newton; Township Clerk, Wm. J. Greer;
Assessor, H. W. Smith; Constables, T. J. Briscoe, John E. Freligh.
THE FIRST 80H00L
— a subscription school, in progress in a log cabin, on the Gris-
wold farm, in the southwest quarter of section 16. It was taught by
Miss Julia Ripley, daughter of Col. Davis Ripley, afterward Judge
for Floyd County. It was commenced in May, 1857, and was
about thirteen weeks in length.
The first frame school-house was built in 1859, by John Mc-
Nabb, and upon completion was painted red, and known as the
*' red school-house." Some claim no school to have been taught
within its walls, while others, affirm a positive knowledge of sev-
eral terms having been taught, and name the teachers. Probably
Miss Viola Reynolds taught one term there in 1862-'3. It was,
however, for many years the residence of Mr. Dean, and no reg-
ular school existed there until 1868. In this year, by a vote of
the town, it was moved to its present site, an addition added, re-
furnished, and named District No. 1. It is known, however, that,
until this house had been thus moVed, a school was annually held
in the old log house that had been for many years the home of
Daniel B. Woods. The first term was taught by Miss Grace Da-
vidson, of Charles City, in the summer of 1862. The first boasted
often scholars. The school-house — that is, a portion of the logs
comprising the house — is yet in position but used for brooding and
rearing young chickens instead of children. There was school
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840 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOaNTT.
kept here until the date of moving the No. 1 hoQBe. The first
teachers were Miss Orace Davidson, Miss Lievann Gonlee, Miss
Nellie Oonlee and Miss Marion K. Bliss.
At present there are nine sub-districts having school-houses, all
of which are nearly new, comfortable and tidj.
BBLiaiOUS.
A gentleman named Swan, living near Waverlj, was the first
preacher, he preaching at intervals during the summer of 1867.
The next summer the Methodists of Charles City, at a suggestion
by Mr. Smith, sent one of their local preachers there, a Mr. George
B. Edmunds, who preached fortnightly in the same house, during
that summer, and, at stated intervals, during the fall, winter and
spring of 1868-'9. At tl^e first meeting there were about fifteen
present, including Jonathan Gable's family; C. Bicknese's family;
Marsena Joslyn, wife and son; Christopher Clark and wife; A. B.
Smith; Rudolph Young and wife, and, of course, Mr. Smith and
family. About the 1st of July of the next year Mr. Smith and
A. W. Gilman attended the camp-meeting at Lime Creek, for ihe
purpose of seeing Mr. Lee, then the presiding elder for this con-
ference, in reference to establishing regular preaching in Pleasant
Grove. Mr. Lee told them, if they could raise $100 for the first
year, he would include them in the Rockford Circuit, giving them
preaching fortnightly. They pledged $25 each, and, returning
home, easily raised the remainder.
There was a class formed about this time by Elder Joseph Gould
with about eight members; Marsena J[oslyn, Leader; H. M. Smith,
Steward.
Probably two months elapsed after conference of that year ( in
September) before regular preaching was given. Elder Bewen, of
the Bockford Circuit, was given the work. His first meetings were
held in the log house, wherein, a few years later, the first election
was held, and where, years previous, the settlers, as they came in«
were glad to board their families with Mr. Bipley, or " Chris "
Clark, who bought it of Mr. Bipley, while they hewed out of the
grove their future home. As soon as school -house No. 2 was
built, meetings were transferred there, but, aside from the board
seats, a rude frame house, and a clumsy stove, it was not much
better. Services have been regularly held at No. 5 since, the preach-
ers and their date of work being as follows : Elder Bewen, 1869
-70 (Elder Joseph Gould organized class about 1868) ;v Elder Mo-
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PLBA8AMT OBOYB TOWNSHIP. 841
Gee, 1870-^71; Elder Philip Gonld, 1871-'7*; Elder Ward, 1874-
'75; Elder Gilruth, ; Elder Holland, 1875-78; Elder Shoe-
maker, 1878 to 1880; Elder Skinner, 1880 and a portion of 1881,
and Elder Brown, finishing that conference year, is now on his
second.
The average attendance now is about thirty-live. Much interest
has been manifest thronghont the whole, and it is evident that the
early movers, and, in fact, all of to-day, made and are making zeal-
ous efforts for the maintenance of the cause of the Master, and
they have been aided by the most active and self-denying ministry
w. 0. T. u.
This is but one private in the ranks of the army of Iowa, of
which county and township organizations are auxiliary. And this
noble sentiment we found prevailing every where in the township.
Although Pleasant Grove is happily and most singularly free from
the effects of the demon whisky, and not a drop is sold within
the township borders, yet the W. C. T. U. have a hold there, and
^'the cause" is well represented. Among the active movers we
mention Mrs. J. 0. Lockwood, Mrs. Wesley Brownell, Mrs. Prank
fieal, Mrs. Geo. F. Lambert, and, we might say, the ladies of the
whole township.
This branch was organized in 1880, Mrs. Wesley Brownell being
the first county Vice-President for the township. At urgent so-
licitation, Mrs. Clute, of Charles City, went there and organized
the union, at which time Mrs. J. C. Lockwood was chosen Presi-
dent (since and at present being the County President, and ably
filling that position); Mrs. Fletcher Brownell, Vice-President;
Mrs. Geo F. Lambert, Secretary; Mrs. Frank Beal, Treasurer.
Its present officers Hre : Mrs. Lois O. Greer, President ; Mrs.
Geo. F. Lambert, Vice-President ; Mrs. 0. S. Matoon, Secretary ;
Miss Eittie Lockwood, Treasurer.
March 14, 1880, another movement in behalf of temperance was
started through the exertions of Gteo. F. Lambert, B. F. Wright, a
former resident, but now Postmaster of Charles City, and D. C.
Hayes, also of Charles City. An interest had been awakened by
the work of the W. C. T. U., but many not religiously inclined,
and some who were conscientiously opposed to the work as per-
formed by the women, were yet ready to embrace some other
method that would lead to good results.
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842 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Wright, Lambert, Hayes, Brow-
nell and others. A vote was taken to see if a society should be
formed, to be called the ** Pleasant Grove Temperance Society, "
which, of course, resulted in the aflSrmative, after which the follow-
ing officers were elected: G. F. Lambert, President; John Brisco,
Vice-President ; E. M. Joslyn, Secretary ; Miss Hattie E. Smith,
Treasurer. The pledge, of ordinary for>n, was signed by forty-nine.
The meetings were to be made interesting by recitations, masic
and debate. And so from that day to the present time, precluding
the busiest part of the year, meetings have been held to the same
end as its sister society, the W. C. T. U., first, in School-house
No. 6, and since January, 1881, alternating with the ** Prairie
District" neighborhood. Mr. Lambert was its President two or
three terms, resigning in favor of the Vice-President, Wesley
Brownell.
THE OBMETERT.
In the grove lies the village of the dead — the only village in the
township. Unto it all must move. Who moved to it first t who
dng the first grave ? who were the first mourners ? is not known,
Iowa's laws concerning the registering of her dead under penalty
of non-fulfillment being (to her discredit, we must say) of but few
years on her statutes.
The cemetery was for many years under the control of a corpo-
rate body of citizens. A few years ago, by a two-thirds vote, it was
given into the hands of the trustees, who have the responsibility of
its proper care. It was recorded July 26, 1877. Mr. John Brisco
is now sexton. It is known as "The Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Association."
The first marriage within the limits of "^4—16" was probably
that of Peter Heckard, Jr., to a Miss Abagail Gibson, daughter ot
Joseph Gibson, in 1864.
The first birth was a child of Peter Heckard. born in 1855.
The first death was Mrs. Boxy B. Taylor, wife of John Taylor,
in 1867.
The first three log houses built in the township were Peter Heck-
ard's, Joseph Gibson's (who built a double log house just west of the
present house of John Brisco), and Joseph Ripley's (the house the
first election was held in).
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PLBABANT GROVE TOWNBlilP. 848
The first forge set up in the township was by Joseph Riplej^
bnt long ago deserted. Jonathan Cable built the second one in
the township, which is yet standing, though not used by the
public.
Lewis Forthun, J. 0. Lockwood, John Brisco and others, about
the time the grange movement was at its height, formed a society
that was known as the Farmers' Club — after the manner of those
organizations in the Eastern States. But owing to lateness of the
season, and other conflicting causes, but few meetings were held.
The object was a worthy one, and such a society should be in a
flourishing condition in such an enterprising township as Pleasant
Grove, agriculturally.
Our acknowledgments are due to Wesley Brownell, Lewis For-
thun, I. 0. and J. P. Lockwood, John Brisco, D. B. Woods, 0.
F. Beck, John Perry, Henry M. Smith, Frank Beal, Joel Doore,
Geo. F. Lambert and many others, who have given a singularly
able co-operation — a co-operation expected only from men who take
a pride in carrying out promises, whether made or implied.
An incident illustrating the expeditiousness required upon the
part of the settler in order to acquire land under the pre-emption
Mty on account of the fast influx of emigration, we give herewith.
Mr. Wesley Brownell arrived in the county Dec. 16, 1855. The
Government land-office, then at Decorah, opened on the 20th. To
get papers under this act, one must settle upon a certain quarter
and actually commence operations — building, etc. Mr. B. took
up the southeast section 24, hired a yoke of oxen of -some distant
neighbor, drew the four corner-stones for his house, turned over a
few furrows of prairie, filed his papers for pre-emption, and had his
deed on the 20th. Decorah then was to be reached only by horse.
We see him going at John Gilpin speed.
Pleasant Grove Township has never had a regulnr practicing
attorney, though Mr. Seth Lockwood, previous to his moving here,
was an active^ member of the New York bar, having read law
under Harrington & Palmer, Peterborough, N. Y., and practiced
there upward of twenty years, or until the new code went into
efiect in 1842. He was also justice of the sessions in Cattaraugus
Oonnty, N. Y., for two terms. Since Mr. Lockwood's becoming
a ci:izen of this township, he has filled the office of Justice of the
Peace with satisfaction, rendering impartial decisions and giving
singularly correct papers. Mr. Lockwood is at present in his
ninetieth yeir, and retains a clear and uuclouded mind. His son,
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844 HI8T0BY OP FLOYD OOUIHT.
Jackson C. Lockwood, is the present incumbent of the ofSce, and
for clearness of drafting, and correctness of decisions, he follow*
the footsteps of his father. We understand that he also read law
several years, his health not permitting of the arduous duties at-
tending the legal profession. He has also been County Supervisor
one full term.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Henry Allen was born in Canada^ and move<) to township 94
north, 16 west, in 1878. He married Mrs. Joseph Johnson, nee
Julia Bipley. Mr. Allen is one of the oldest residents in the county .
She is a daughter of Ool. David Ripley, formerly Oounty Jndge^
whose sketch will be found among the illustrious dead. To Mrs.
Allen we have given the credit of being the first in the field of
pioneer education in Ri verton and Pleasant Grove. She also taugh t
one of the earliest schools in St. Charles Township. Mrs. Allen'9
life has been continually upon the frontier line until very recently,,
her father at first moving to Floyd so early as to necessitate a re-
treat from the Indians for two years; then back again; then, in
1864, to Colorado; then two years in Southern Iowa; then again
north into Southeast Dakota. Mrs. Allen was born in Gallia,.
Ohio, May 8, 1837.
Jf'ranh Bealy one of the residents of the Maine or " Down East*^
settlement, was born in Dover, Maine, Dec. 14, 1843. He was a
son of Herman and Phebe (Doore) Seal; his mother was a daugh<
ter of Joel Doore of the same town, and sister of Joel Doore, who
now resides in this township, bringing the relation of '* Uncle Joel'^
to a veritable fact in Mr. BeaPs case. Mr. Beal received the com-
mon-school education of a Maine district school, living at home
until his thirteenth year, when, in his sixteenth year, the gold fever
seized him and he packed his trunk and started westward via the
isthmus. For two years he was mining at Willow Springs, Placer
County, after which he " railroaded it" on the San Francisco &
San Jose Road. California life did not agree with him — the wet
season was too wet, and the glare of the sun after harvest season
was too scorching to be at all pleasant; and so in four years from
the time of his arrival he started eastward, landing in Maine in
1864. He bought a farm in Charleston, upon which he lived four
years, selling out in favor of one in Dover, working that one year.
A chance as foreman of a large fancy-stock farm at XJpton, Mass.,
owned by D. W. Batchelor, boot manufisicturer, induced him to
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PLEA8A11T GBOVE TOWNSHIP. I 845
ai^in sell. His nnde, Joel Doore, having abont this time got set-
tled in this new "Gkrden of the West," wrote him to come; and
thus, in 1870, he came to Pleasant Grove Township. He bought
two eighties — the southeast of section 29 and the southwest of
section 28. When he came here nothing but a log cabin stood on
the place for a house, and from this, in a storm a few years after-
ward, the roof was blown, nearly crushing Mr. and Mrs. Beal and
Mr. George Seal's family. About this time things looked gloomy
and lonesome enough. By hard, honest toil and a practical mind
he has to-day one of the best and pleasantest homes in this portion
of Floyd County. From a log cabin he now has a hon'se of all
modern cotpforts and all the conveniences to be found in any farm-
house. From a straw-and-turf stable he has a commodious bam
60 X 32; crops, about eighty acres annually. He was initiated into
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 124, of A. F. & A. M., at Charleston,
Maine, in 1865, and is now a member of Alpha Lodge, of Greene.
He married Carrie Batchelor, of Dover, Maine, April 14, 1866.
Miss Batchelor .was daughter of Nathan and Olive (Gerry) Batch-
elor, who are long residents of that town. Mrs. Beal was one of
the first in the ranks of the W. 0. T. U., being its charter Treas-
urer.
Charles F. Beck was born in Greene Township, Gallia County,
O., May 18, 1845. He was the sixth in a family of thirteen. His
parents are Jacob and Sophia Beck, now living in Riverton, whose
biographies may be found in the contents of that township. Charles
F., like the majority of boys in those early days, received but a
common-school education, but by a wise use of that, together with
shrewd powers of observation, has mastered all obstacles, so far as
general knowledge and business laws, and the right and wrong in
the political economy of the country goes. He was at home dur-
ing his minority, and until his twenty-fourth year, when he took
unto himself a wife, marrying Miss Viola Reynolds, daughter of
S. L. Reynolds, formerly of this township, but more recently of
Greene. Miss Reynolds had the honor of being the first teacher
in School- house No. 1, and perhaps in the district. About the
date of his marriage he bought his present home — a farm of ninety
acres, on section 8. To them one child, a daughter, has been bom.
Mr. Beck crops abont eighty acres on his own place, and some
forty more on an adjacent section. Inasmuch as we found Mr.
Beck to be one of Floyd's earliest settlers, we have used many of
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846 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY,
the facts thns gleaned in the body of the work, and for which we
give credit.
John Frederick ChriBtiari Bickneae^ born in Erichshagen, Wolpe
County, Kingdom of Hanover, Dec. 17, 1815, was a son of
Conrad and Marie (Lubbers) Bicknese, and the eldest son of six
children. He lived at home until his fifteenth year, when he
worked for a year and a half in a hotel. Then for two years for a
dyer, when he entered into a contract to learn the trade. In Aug-
ust, 1888, he took out a passport, dated Aug. 30, 1838. In those
days a passport book had to be obtained and each night to be left
with the police until further movements demand its possession.
His movements were about as follows: starting from Erichshagen,
he staid first at Celle; from Celle he went to Bremen, from Bremen
to Oldenburg. At each place all travelers are examined to see if
they have been vaccinated, and if they have traveling money — $5
being requisite before proceeding. From Oldenburg he went to
Yarel, then to Aurish, then to Burgsteinfurth, where he worked
nearly two months. After this to Osnedrick, then to Wildeshau-
sen, then to Buckeburg; from here to Hiideshein; from here
to Braunschweig, then to Grimma, Saxony, then to Leipsig; from
here to Dresden; from here he went to Breslau, Prussia; from
here to Lignitz, then to a part of Prussia Poland, Zduny; from
here to Eozmin; from here to Thoren, then to Elbing via Grand-
ing and Marenwerder; from Elbing to Soldan; from here to
Hohenstein ; here he worked three montiis. Then to Konigs-
berg; from here to Danzig, Prussia, again; from here to Stolp,
then to Coslin, then to Colberg, then back to Stolp, where he
secured five weeks' work. From here to Landsberg, then to Rue-
enwale; here he worked fourteen weeks. From here to Soldin,
then to Stettin. During this time he was traveling on foot,
and here, having sore feet, he had to be still a few days. Then to
Stralsund; from there to Demmin, from there to Paswalk, from
there to Naubrandenburg, from there to Frank tbrt-on-the-Oder,
then back to Breslau; from there to Leobschuetz, then to Hirsch-
berg, then to Zittan, then to Freiberg, from there Xo Chemmitz.
There he was fortunate enough to find work for one year and a half,
where he had charge of forty-five men. After this, desiring more
experience, he resigned and weiit to Erfurth, working about five
weeks; then to Gotha, then toMinningen, then to Colnirg, then to
Bavaria, Culmbach, from there to Bayruth, then to Schnabelwid,
then to Nurnberg, then to Ausbach, then to Westertradingen, then
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 84:1
to Koslinger, then to Donanwortli, then to Angsbnrg, then to
Schwabrnunchen, then to Kanfburen, then to Kempten, then to
lesny, Wurtembnrg, then to Lentkirch, then to Stuttgart, then to
Nalen; there he worked fonrteen weeks. From there to Gin«nd^
there he again worked fourteen week^. From there he went to
Tubengen, then to Balingen, then to Schaf hansen, then passing
over the border of Wurtenburg, to Gallen, Switzerland; there he
worked fonrteen weeks. From there to Berne, then to Lucerne;
from here back to Germany, Baden Baden, to Freiburg, then to
Menheim; from there to Wnrzburg, then to Bamburg; from there
to Cumbach, then to Hof, then to Griez, then to Altenburg, then
to Hildeshim, and from there to where he was born, arriving home
Dec. 8, 1842, making a journey of four years and four months.
This has been taken from the passport book. It also shows about
what the German journeyman has to pass through to gain that
perfection in his trade that brings demand for his labor. He worked
at his trade about one year at home; then from Bremen sailed to
Baltimore, landing in America, Aug. 18, 1844. From Baltimore
he went to Wilkinsburg, Pa.; worked seven years and a half in the
Baltimore coal mine, Alex. Gray being proprietor. From here to
Dane County, Wis., in 1852. While in Wilkinsburg he married
Frances Ilogstien. He lived in Dane County fourteen years and a
half. Then came to this township, Nov. 30, 1866. His children
are — Clemerce L., Mary C, John Francis, Bernard, Katy, Frank,
Joseph, Dora, and Lena. His wife died in March, 1878. He owns
40 6 acres, and crops: of corn, eighty-iive acres; of oats, forty-two
and one-half acres; of wheat, eighty-six acres; tame grass, fourteen
acres.
John BrUco^ one of the earliest pioneers of Iowa, and one who
has seen nothing but frontier-life since his early boyhood in Shelby
County, Ky., until now, was born of good old Kentucky stock in
Shelby County. His parents moved from thereto Monroe County,
Ind., when he was a small boy. His reminiscences of Indiana or
Hoosier pioneer life; of their log cabins without a scrap of iron;
their primitive customs as a whole, are very interesting. He lived
at home, assisting his fatiier to carry on the farm until his nineteenth
year, when he went to work on the river, piloting the old-styled
flat boat between Louisville, Ky., and New Orleans. It was a life
of intense hardship. One of these boats, floating with the stream,
took fifteen days or more to do the journey. Theboats, when they
62
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850 HISTORY OF FLOYD COtJNTY.
arrived, were sold for the lumber in them, though some of them
have been brought up the stream by means of ropes and horses.
In 1843 he married Adeline Head, of Monroe County. Her father
emigrated from " New Virginia" when she was but two years of
age. Their names were Josiah and Lydia Head. Both died when
she was quite young. Mrs. Briscois a grand example of what our
early pioneer women were, having endured privations and hardships
with her husband, working in the field as in the house, being a
*^ better shot" with the frontiersman's rifle than tlie majority of
them themselves, and lastly having raised a family of fourteen
children, the greater portion living to-day to bless the mother and
father from whom they have inherited sound constitutions and pure
blood. Mr. Brisco, to-day, is healthy and vigorous. Upon Mr.
Brisco's marriage they moved to Kosciusko County in the fall of
1847, and from there moved to Allamakee, living there until 1861,
when he moved to Riverton. In Allamakee County he moved to
Rossville, where he bought 200 acres — two besides himself living
in that section at that time, and laid out the town, now Rofsville.
He carried on the farm for three years, then moved to town and
went into the manufacturing of plows and blaeksmithing with
David Skit)uer, and remained in the company geven years, when be
8o!d out and formed a partnership with Mr. Ross and built a steam
grist-mill, which he ran about one year, returning to the farm.
During the time he ran the manufacturing of plows he went into
and established a shop at Oronoko, on Zumbro River, running it
one year and sold out. During this time he also made two trips
to Pike's Peak, it being the time of the gold fever, crossing the
plains four times with an ox team; the first time there was a com-
pany of sixty men and thirty wagons; the second time twenty-seven
men, one woman and sixteen wagons. During the last trip they
made a halt at Denver, the Indians being on the war-path. At the
time of their settlement in Iowa, bears and game were abundant.
Mrs. Brisco has seen five bears at one time. The pii^s had to be
kept in the house; and being afraid they would molest the children,
Mrs. Brisco learned to use the rifle. Some of her shots rival the
stories of the frontier marksman. Her husband once wagered a
pair of pants against a new dress that she could not kill over four
or fi ve partridges or wood pheasants at a shot; but her scoring thirty-
one birds with every shot won the dress. Few women in the his-
tory of frontier life have equaled this. Squirrels and wild turkeys
were doomed if she could see as much as their heads. She has
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 851
killed two deer. In 1870 he bought a farm of ninety acres in Pleas-
ant Grove and lived there four years; then sold it and bought the
one of 160 acres, where he now resides. Their children are —
Prier L., Lydia M. and Elizabeth Jane, bom in Monroe County,
Ind. ; Jeremiah and Harriet M., bom in Kosciusko County, Ind.,
Matilda I. (the first child born in the county), John L. (died when
three years old), Emmie L. (died in infancy), Josiah, Clementine
and Robinson M., born in Allamakee County, la.; Charles C,
Francis U. and Walter M., born in Riverton, Floyd County.
Wesley Brownell was born in Delaware County, N. T., Oct.
16, 1880; received a common-school education; remained with
his parents until about twenty-one years of age, when he com-
menced to do for himself, by working for his neighbors. At the
age of twenty-four he bantered a chum of his own age to respond
to the call from Kansas, for settlers from the East Though his
friend declined, he packed his trunk and started for the broad prairie
land of the West. He spent the first year in Illinois^ and in 1855 he
came to Iowa. An incident we here relate illustrates the expeditious-
ness required upon the part of the settler in order to get land, on
account of the fast inflowing population. Mr. Brownell arrived in
this county Dec. 15; the Government land-oflSce at Decorah opened
on the 20th. He commenced improvements on 160 acres, section
24, Riverton, now Pleasant Grove, Township; filed his papers for
pre-emption in the meantimey securing the land on the 20th. Upon
this laud he resided until 1868, when he sold and moved to Mitch-
ell County and purchased a farm and made that his home two
years. At the expiration of this term he returned to Floyd County,
and farmed land on shares three years. In 1873 he purchased the
farm of 160 acres where he still resides, section 36, Pleasant
Grove. He crops apout 125 acres: corn, seventy; oats, thirty-five;
balance tame grass; keeps about twelve head cattle, four horses
and from fifteen to one hundred hogs. Has always escaped
the hog cholera till last year, when he lost seventy-five head.
During the war Mr. Brownell was drafted as second to a drafted
man; there being only one man drafted in the company. Fortu-
nately for Mr. Brownell, the man was accepted upon examination.
The township organized an insurance company for the benefit of
those who might be drafted. Their first papers proving inefficient
they drew up new ones. They all signed the new ones except
this Mr. Wilcox, who happened to be the only man draflied in the
township. Mr. Brownell was married in Bradford, Chickasaw
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862 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
County, la., April 21, 1861, to Miss Jane Adams a native of
Canada. Their family consists of five children — Elva A., Martin
C, Minnie O., William I., and Robert S. He is a member of the
order of Freemasons. Is a member of the Baptist churcli, and has
been a Republican ever since the party had existence. Voted for
Fremont in 1856 and was previously an Abolitionist. While a citi-
zen of Riverton Township he held the office of Assessor seven years,
and was County Supervisor some tlireo terms; was Township Clerk
one year previous. Since becoming a citizen of Pleasant Grove
he was elected Assessor, which position he has held for tiie past
three years. Besides being a member of the School Board the
greater part of the time, while residing in both townships, several
years, he acted as Secretary. Mr. Brownell cast the first vote in
this township. Mr. Brownell stands high in the esteem of his
fellow towns-people, as a man whose word is as good as his bond;
such, too, is the reputation given the Brownells in the history of
Delaw^e Oonnty, N. Y.
Allan J, Doore^ son of Joel and Sarah (Cushing) Doore, whose
sketch joins this, was born in Atkinson, Piscataquis County, Me.,
May 19, 1844. He came to this township the first year of it a
organization. He received an academic education ; taught several
terms of school winters, and helped^ his father on the farm sum-
mers. His idea of Western prospects have been quite fully realized.
He married Alice M. Lockwood, daughter of J. C. Lockwood, of
this township. May 19, 1872. Their children are — Raymond L.,
Allan W., Harry C, and Grace M. He has 240 acres of land in Scott
Township, sections 32 and 33. Mr. Doore, like his father, is a
thrifty farmer, bringing Maine pluck and energy. The attraction
of the prairie to a farmer- bred New England are great. Mr. Doore
when first arriving in this locality thought he saw, at least, " easy
agriculture" compared with that among the rocks and stumps of
Maine, and wrote his father to this effect. He had no intention
of staving when he left home, the object being in the main to
escort his sister, Mrs. Rodolpha Young, to her home. The surprise
lie had, together with the great difference between the soil of the
Pine Tree State and that of the Hawkeye, made him form the
resolution of staying, and, buying a quarter section, immediately
sent word to his parents to come West. In two years his persna-
sions brought the "old folks." Father and son live in happiness
and comfort together. He has 225 acres under cultivation: 100
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 858
acres of corn ; sixty, rye ; sixtj'-five, oats. Has gone into the bee
cnlture, having at present fifteen hives.
Joel jQoore^ or '* Uncle Joel," as he is familiarly called by
nearly every one living in the *' Maine settlement," came to Pleas-
ant Grove Township in 1869, at the urgent solicitation of his son
and daughter — now Mrs. Rudolph Young, of Verndale, Minn. He
has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many
years. The old-style Scotch practice, so eloquently described in
Robert Burns' ''Cotter's Saturday Night," seemed peculiarly ap-
propriate to Mr. Doore's whole-souled, yet simplicity of, character,
and the morning worship thus conducted will ever be remembered
by the writer of this sketch. Mr. Doore was born in Dover, Pis-
cataquis County, Maine, Nov. 7, 1813. He was a son of Joel and
Hannah Doore, one of Piscataquis's early settlers. The family con-
sisted of eight sons and three daughters. Of course in those early
days, even East^ schools were in a rude and primitive state, in
consequence of which no one received but a common-school educa-
tion, and education, like many other branches of vital importance
to the development of character, being dependent on the man's
mind, his powers of self-restraint, observation, integrity of charac-
ter and purpose. He has always followed the farm as a means of
livelihood, with the exception of one year, which he spent in Cali-
fornia in 1849-'60. He married Miss Sarah Cushing, daufichter of
James and Nancy Cushing. The names of the children bom to
them are — Eliza N., James N., Nancy C, Isley 0., Allen J.,
Pauline S. Eliza N. married Charles Ramsdell, and is living
directly opposite her father's; his two sons, Isley O. and James
N., were of the first of those brave volunteers who left the com-
forts of their lioraes, their social and domestic pleasures, and who
severed for the time the ties which linked them to their families
and friends, to rally for the defense of their country and the insti-
tutions under which they had been permitted to enjoy there
comforts, pleasnres and affections; to face the stem realities of
grim-visaged war; to endure the hardships and privations of the
field; to inhale the pestilential emanations from Southern swamps;
to languish in sickness and pain, and to find solitary and unknown
graves where neither father, nor mother, nor brother, nor sister could
come to drop affection's tears. And thus they died, and lie with
thousands of unknown and unmarked graves, the former near New
Orleans, where he died of fever, November, 1862; the latter on
Ship Island, of tho same disease, July 17, 1862. But their patriot-
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864 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ism and their sufferings, in the hearts of their towns-people, and
on the Roll of Honor, shall be an enduring monument Pauline
S. married Clifton Hiickins, M. D., son of Deacon Hiiek)ns. Mr.
Huckins was the first and only physician in Pleasant Grove.
Mr. Doore moved from Maine in 1869, buying 160 acres in section
32. He brought with him Maine ways and economy — the whole-
some teachings of thrifty, broad-minded parents, as all New
Englanders of the past generation, who reared large families
among the rocks and the forests and the hills of the East, were.
From these teachings he has been able to meet the world in a
practical and yet pleasant way, and to have accomplished in these
few years of Western experiences what many of our more Western
residents, with an easier notion of life and methods, have been
years longer in doing. He has fine buildings, a bam about
40 X 60, and his manner of husbandry evinces plainer than words
its practicability. Politically he is a Republican, and when a
resident of Maine held the various town offices at different periods.
He crops this year about forty acres of spring wheat, twenty acres
of oats, fifty acres of corn ; has a large number of horses, and about
fifty pigs.
Andrew A, Egnew was born in Rockport, Spencer County^
Ind., July 18, 1841. His parents were James and Elizabeth
(Varner) Egnew, of Kentucky. His father followed farming for a
livelihood. Of a family of fourteen Andrew A. was tenth. He
lived at home duping his minority, enlisting in the Fourth Indiana
Cavalry, Company K, Captain C. C. Mason commanding, a month
succeeding his minority. He was engaged the first six months in
hunting, running down the Kentucky guerrillas, Mason, the rebel
among them. After thifr he was in Rosencrans's advance, going
through the ever-to-be-remembered battle of Chickamauga. After
the retreat of the troops from Chickamauga this company went
into the march after Wheeler, when he crossed the Tennessee, after
the Federal supply trains. After this his regiment was ordered as
the advance,doingreconnoiteringand surveying duty near Fayettes-
ville. While thus engaged, doing picket duty, a minie-ball entered
the arm through the inferior portion of the triceps muscle, two or
three inches below the articulation of the humerus with the clavicle,
and passing just beneath the bone emerged near the center of the
biceps muscles, lacerating these most important appliances of
nature's handiwork in a fearful manner, resulting in an almost total
paralysis of the arm and a witherins^ of t':e hand, the latter rigidly
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 85S
contracted. The ball passing out of his arm entered his right side,
making quite a serious, though flesh, wound. After this he wa»
transferred to the veteraa reserve corps, not receiving his discharge
until the February of 1865. He is at present drawing a small
pension — a pension much too small. After his discharge he taught
school for ten or twelve years about his home, assisting on the farm
during vacations. He was married April 9, 1869, to Cynthia M.
Starkweather. Their children are — Sydney 0. and M nnie R.
Mr. Egnew lived in Spencer County until March, 1877, when he
moved to Butler County, la.; lived there three years, then moved
to Marble Rosk, residing there one year; from there to this pleas-
ant locality, section 8, township 94 north, range 16 west. Althougli
we cannot claim Mr. Egnew among Floyd's soldiers, we can claim
the same spirit for him as imbued their breasts — to fight, suflFer
and die for the preservation of the Union and the honor of the
stars and stripes.
James Flddick^ an Englishman by descent, was born in Simons-
town, Cape of Good Hope, Africa, April, 1857. His parent-**
names were James and Elizabeth Fiddick. His mother was born
in Cornwall County, England, in 1826; was married in 1852, and
moved to Cape of Good Hope in 1858. Mr. Fiddick was for many
years connected" with the civil service at Simonstown, living there
thirteen years. Mr. Fiddick died in Cornwall, Nov. 18, 1873.
Their children, born at the Cape, were Priscilla J., Richard, James,
William, Laura J., Ellen E. ami Emma A. Thomas and Bertha
M. were born in England. James, the third of the children, em-
igrated to Rockford, 111., when his mother and family came, in
1874. They lived in Rockford five years, moving to Pleasant
Grove Township, to section 19, where all the family are comfort-
ably settled. He married Rebecca Pooley in 1881, sister of John
B. Pooley, a near neighbor. He is cropping about 100 acres.
Mr. Fiddick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Greene, and a most exemplary man.
Lewis Forthxin^ a native of Lyster, Southern Norway, was born
in the year 1837, and was youngest and fourth son of Knut and
Carrie Forthun. He lived with his parents until his nineteenth
year, receiving such education as was to be had in Norway's com-
mon schools, when the desire of adventure took possession of him,
the wonders of America being the unknown magnet. Bidding
good-bye to father and mother, sister and brothers, and his native
land, he eventually reached Dane County, Wis., after many inter-
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856 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
esting experiences, as always happen to emigrants to whom the
English language i^ foreign. Here he lived one year, moving
into Rock County, where he iarmed for six years. Here it was
tliat he assisted in setting out the first acre of tobacco set out in
this county— a branch of farming that now is extensively carried
on. From here he moved into Crawford County, and from here,
in 1864, he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, Company
E, being engaged in the memorable battle before Mobile, where he
was wounded, a minie-ball striking him directly in the mouth. The
eagerness with which the majority of men of foreign birth, and,
in some cases, of newly arrived emigrants, watched the late war,
and enlisted when calls for more men were made, is a fact remark-
able in history. After his return, in 1865, he married Mary E.
Joslyn, daughter of Marsena and Mary A. Joslyn, late of Pleas-
ant Grove Township, now residing in Greene, Butler County. In
1866 he moved to Pleasant Grove Township, and bought an
eighty, or the Joe Ripley farm, in what was then Ripley's Grove.
Also at the same time he bought an adjoining eighty of Washing-
ton Young, moving into a shanty built by Mr. Young a tew years
before. The work at first, as was the case with all new farms in
the timber, was that of grubbing, bat by assiduous labors it has
brought the acreage of available land from a few to those of his
large farm of to-day, he cropping over 100 acres of corn and
oats. A few years ago he bought another eighty adjoining, east
of the last, upon which he has built convenient farm buildings.
Mr. Forthun has been active in pplitics, and has been chosen to
most of the township offices, at different intervals, and for the past
three years has held that of County Supervisor, of which to-day
he is Chairman. Three children have been bom to him — Jessie
May, Horace Orville Wallace, and Walter S. Much credit is due
Mr. Forthun as member of the Board of Supervisors for the rapid
construction of the present court-house, and also as a man, who,
€oming to a new country, in a few years mastered its language,
eat'toms and politics so as to be one of the leading spirits.
William Qrierish was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1834,
under the Grand Duke Frederick Frantz. His parents were
Frederick and Lottie Grierish, and had six children, William be-
ing the youngest. He lived at home, working on a farm till his
nineteenth year, when, in 1854, he emigrated to America, landing
first in New York, staying eight months, and eventually coming
to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained a short time, and then
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 867
went to Waukesha County and worked on a farm till 1866, when
he went to Columbia County and staid three years, finally coming
to Pleasant Grove Township, Floyd County, where he still re-
sides, settling on 120 acres of wild land. He now has 200 acres
of fine land, on section 26, under a good state of cultivation. Has
in crop forty acres of oats, twenty-five of wheat, sixty of corn,
seven of barley, and twenty of tame grass. He owns forty head
of cattle, nine horses and sixty hogs. He was married in 1861,
in Waukesha, Wis., to Ann BuUen, a daughter of Edwin and
Sarah (Osbom) BuUen, natives of England. They had a family
of eleven children, Ann being the third child. They came to
America in 1864 with a family of eight. Mr. and Mrs. Grierish
have two children — Edward W. and Albert J., aged twenty and
eighteen, both born in Wauke-^ha, Wis. Edward W. is Secretary
of the Blue Ribbon Lodge. His buildings are on the east side of
his farm; the house is a story and a half, the front part being
16x20 with a wins: 14x22. His granary is 18x28 and fourteen
feet high, with stone basement underneath for horses; has an ad-
dition to the granary for four horses; has a cow barn 22x30,
sixteen feet high and holds nineteen cows, with a hay-mow over-
head; has a corn-crib 22 x 32, with corn on one side and hogs on
the other; has a windmill, the Union Star, sixty feet high.
Edgar M, Joslyn was born in Judah, Green County, Wis., in
1862. His parents, who moved from Worcester County, Mass.,
are Marsena and Mary A. Joslyn. They have always taken an
active part in the promotion of all religious movements. Their
early married life was amid the noise and unhealthy odors of an
Eastern cotton-mill, to escape which they came West, moving
from Green County to Floyd, in 1866, thus being residents before
it was an organized township, separate from Union and River-
ton. In other portions of this township history will be found an
account of Mr. Marsena Joslyn, as having been Leader of the first
class, and Superintendent of the first Sabbath-school in the town-
ship. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is always to be found on
the side where justice reigns. Of late years he has moved to
(4reene, his son EJgar running- the farm. The log cabin
yet standing on the home place was the first one they built, an
old-fashioned pioneer's cabin. Edgar M. Joslyn married Zilpha
S. Robinson, of Hampton, la., in January, 1881. Mr. Joslyn has ,
also been useful to his fellow townsmen as a teacher of their schooU
for several terms. And while the **old folks" are enjoying the
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868 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUl^TY.
quiet of a retired life in so pleasant a village as Greene, it must be a
comfort to know that the ^'old place" is still running on in the hands
of the family. Mr. Joslyn's sister, Mary E., is the wife of Lewis
Forthun, a neighbor, and the present incumbent of the Chairman of
the Board of County Supervisors.
Oeorge F. Lambert was born in Dover, Piscataquis County,
Me., June 7, 1838; was a son of Paul and Maribah (Fish) Lam-
bert. Their family consisted of eight children — Lanson, Hiram
F., Samantha, Nancy, Julia, Ruby, George F., and Prudence F.,
all having passed to the better land but Hiram F. (now living in
St. Charles Township) and George F. He lived at home durini?
his minority and until his twenty-fourth year, when, in August*
1862, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-second Maine Volunteer
Infantry, Colonel Girard commanding. Went into camp at Bangor
about five weeks; breaking camp, they went via rail to Washington,
camping in the heights; was in camp there about one week. From
here the regiment went to Newport News; was there until the
26th of November. Then went via steamer *^S. R. Spauldin*:"
to Baton Rouge, and was put under Gen. N. P. Banks in his
expedition against Baton Rouge. While at Baton Rouge he was
taken sick with the dumb ague, as many thousands were, and went
into the hospital, being off duty about three weeks. Then in March
was taken with the measles. About 100 of. the men were sick with
them at the same time, and all were unable to do duty until after
their discharge in August. In August, 1863, were mustered out at
Camp Pope, Bangor. Mr. Lambert had a very narrow escape from
dropsy. After his return he went back to farming, and lived there
until his thirty-eighth year. Was married in Dover, Sept. 15,
1861, to Mary E. Page, daughter of Samuel J. and Susan H. (Goss)
Page. In 1876 they sold out in Maine, and moved to Pleasant
Grove Township, northeast section 29, buying of his brother, H.
F. Lambert. The grove about his home was set in 1877 and 1878.
We find Mn Lambert's home typical of the comfortable New
England home — the pleasantest of any in the world, especially to
us Yankees. Mrs. Lambert was in the first movement toward the
furthering of the cause of temperance, being tlie first Secretary of
the W. C. T. U. of this township, auxiliary to the county; and has
been Vice President for two years. Three children have been
born to them — Laura M., born in Dover Me., Aug. 15, 1862; Guy
C, born in Dover, Me., Jan. 21, 1868; and Bessie A., born in
Pleasant Grove Township, April 28, 1879. Mr. LaAibert crops
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. - 859
nearly his whole farm; oats, thirty acres; corn, ninety-three acres;
wheat, eight acres; tame grass, fifteen acres. He has five cattle,
five horses, and 200 hogs, the largest number in the township. Mr.
and Mrs. Lambert and eldest daughter are members of the Bap-
tist church at South Dover, they having been members for twenty-
five years. Mrs. Lambert, mother of George F., came West with
Mr. Lambert and lived here four years in her son's home.
James P. Lockwoodj one of the honored veterans of the late
war, was born of good New England blood. His father, Seth Lock-
wood, whose interesting sketch appears here, and as will be seen
was a native of staid old Connecticut. James P. was bom in
Greene County, Nov. 19, 1816, being second son of Seth and
Diantha Lockwood. He lived with his parents until in his four-
teenth year, when he turned to the state of manhood — " looking out
for himself." Between this period and that of his coming West
he followed various avocations that would bring him an honest
penny. At first he worked on the Croton Water-works about New
York City; then in the lumber business, and also learned tlie
joiner's trade, working at it at different times, until his mov-
ing to Floyd County, in Syracuse and Rochester for several years.
He helped to build the propeller '' Indian Chief," after the com-
pletion of which he went up through the Welland Canal, just com-
pleted, and so on to Milwaukee, Wis., in which State he remained
for several years, and from which he enlisted. While on the lake
the propeller struck a ledge of rocks, giving him a touch of old
ocean experience — his first and last. He lived in Detroit a few
weeks only ; and a year or longer in Milwaukee. He helped to build
the depots along the route of the Prairie du Chien Bailroad — that
road, the civil engineers of which made but one important mistake, as
the story went those days. When asked by the President their opinion
of the road replied '^ that it was all right only they might have
got one more curve in it as well as not." From railroad work he
went to Menasha (Sweet Water), Northern Wisconsin, at the out-
let of Lake Winnebago, where he was in season to help bnild the
first frame house in that town. He also* helped to build two saw-
mills, dam and flumes, and ran each a year or so. His experiences
in this town were not of a profitable nature, working there at the
hardest kind of pioneer labor for five years, and not having scarcely
money enough to get fairly out of the town with. His next residence
was at Union, Wis.; from there to McGregor's Landing, where he
bqilt the dry docks; from McGregor's he moved to Racine, work-
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8^0 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ing in the works of the J. I. Case Threahingr Machine Company. It
was while at Racine he enlisted in the Twenty-second Wisconsin
Infantry, being in service two years, or until his health failed hira.
He was detailed as hospital nurse, and afterward given full charge
of a hospital from that time out. These duties are always very
arduous. Some incidents connected with the duties made them
extremely so. For one instance among many, we relate that while
at Danville, Ky., at a rumor that Gen. John Morgan's fiends were
on a raid in that locality, the whole force, 15,000 strong, broke camp
in search for them, leaving Mr. Lockwood for four days in sole
charge of 150 sick men. This is what ruined his health; and awhile
afterward he returned to Wisconsin, bringing with him all the sick
he could, landing them at Chicago. After regaining his health he
threw up a pension apd re-enlisted in the 100 days' enlistment,
going into Company F., Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment, and for
which he holds a certificate of the President's thanks for honorable
service. After his discharge he was foreman of Racine & Missis-
sippi Railroad ; from this work he moved to Pleasant Grove in
1866, where he has since resided. Mr. Lockwood is a man of good
judgment, out-spoken, but of honorable intentions and purposes.
He was married in Menasha, Wis., in 1847, to Eliza Atwood.
She died in 1857, in Chickasaw County, Iowa, leaving four chil-
dren. In 1860 Mr. Lockwood was married in Racine, Wis., to
Candace M. Salisbury, a native of Delaware County, N. Y., as
were also her parents, April 29, 1870. Mrs. Lockwood died in
Pleasant Grove, leaving a son, two years of age — Charles Erskine,
who is residing with his father.
e/. G, Lockwood was born in Smithfield, Madison County, N.
Y., May 15, 1828. Lived there until nine years of age, when his
parents moved to Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y. While
living there he was engaged in railroading, canaling and farming.
Was engaged in the civil engineer corps in the construction of the
Erie Railroad, and in railroading in general for seven years on the
Canada, Great Western & Detroit. Was married to Mary L. Far-
well, of Hinsdale. Seven children have been born to them, five of
whom are now living — Alice M., Anna Katharine, Carrie M.,
Edith M., and Mattie. He moved to Pleasant Grove Township in
November, 1863, buying 200 acres. Mr. Lockwood is at present
Justice of the Peace, and was elected County Supervisor in 1874.
SSti Lockwood^ one of the oldest citizens in the county, was
born in Goshen, Litchfield County, Ct., May 7, 1793. At two
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 861
jears of age his father moved to Windham, N. Y., now Lexington,
Greene County. Lived there until 1820. "Was married there to
Diantha Thompson, the 6th daj of May, 1813, who died in Madison
County, July 17, 1824, leaving four children. In November, 1814,
he cast his first vote for Governor; in 1817 his first vote for Presi-
dent, James Monroe being the candidate. Mr. Lock wood has never
missed a vote since his first of 1814. Married Hepsy Boyden, of
Smithfield, Madison County, in 1826, who bore him three chil-
dren ; she died in 1871. From Greene County he removed to
Madison, Feb. 28, 1820, living there till 1837; then moved to
Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, May 21, 1837, and lived there
thirty years, removing to Floyd County in November. 1868. The
children by his first wife were — Eli T., James P., George M., Sa-
rah Ann; by his second wife — Mary F., J. C, and F. E. Of the
four children of first wife but one is living — James P., of Pleas-
ant Grove Township. In 1826 Mr. L. read law with Huntington
& Palmer, of Peterborough, N. Y., for three years, and practiced
until the new code of New York went into effect in 1842. He was
justice of the sessions for two terms in Cattaraugus County. For
reminiscences, Mr. Lockwood distinctly remembers the extraordi-
nary eclipse of June 6, 1809, when for about two hours fowls went
to roost. He has seen the ground and fences white with snow the
4th of July. Mr. Lockwood has always taken an active interest in
the political issues of the country; voted the Democratic ticket
until 1866 — or the Kansas question — when, according to his views,
the Democrat party receding from true Democracy, he voted the
Republican ticket, when John C. Fremont was candidate. Any
one being acquainted with that question will remember the cause
for change.
James F. McRoherts was born in parish of Strathdon, county
of Aberdeen, Scotland, Feb. 9, 1820. His parents were James and
Ellen (Beattie) McRoberts, natives of same parish. Lived at home
during minority, working on the farm of his mother, his father
dying before he was a year old. Their family consisted of six chil-
dren, James F. being the youngest. He then left for America,
landing at Quebec in August, 1841. From there he went to Ham-
ilton, Canada West. He lived there until the v^ar closed, when he
moved to Coffin's Grove, Masonville, Iowa; lived in town about
two years, then moved to Pleasant Grove about 1868. He was
married in Hamilton to Miss Sarah Allen, who died there. Their
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
children are — Martha, Ann, John, Isabel, James H., David (de-
ceased), Alexander and Elizabeth.
John Perry^ who, without doubt, owns the largest number of
acres in the township; who has the most convenient and complete
set of farm buildings; who, undoubtedly, has the largest acreage
of cx)rn and small grain in this vicinity, and probably in Northern
Iowa, and who earned it all by honest toil, was born in the town of
Sempronius, Cayuga County, N. T., in the year 1830. He was a
son of hard-working parents, who, in their turn, transmitted their
zeal for industry and enterprise to their son. His early life was
spent on the farm. After his farm experience, he engaged with a
canal company as canal boy, and followed this for some years. His
parents moved from New York State to Cherry Valley, Winnebago
County, 111., thus giving him an early taste of frontier life. He
married Miss Jane Toogood in 1852. Her parents'^ names are
Sydney and Olive (Slade) Toogood, formerly of Tompkins County,
N. Y. Mr. Toogood moved to Rockford over forty years ago, and
helped to plat and also build the town. Is now a resident of Web-
ster City, Iowa. Mr. Perry's parents' names are Oziras and Eliza
(Merchant) Perry, now of Cherry Valley, 111. Mr. Perry left
Cherry Valley in January, 1855, with his famil7 and household
goods and all paraphernalia of an emigrant's equipment — a pair of
cattle, a covered wagon, cooking utensils, etc, and a cow in train
behind. A year previous, however, he had been into Floyd County
prospecting, and purchased 200 acres of what is now section 33,
township 95 north, 15 west, a portion of it being a portion of sec-
tion 16, township 94 north, 15 west, or what was set apart for the
school lands. He had bought this land of David Dyas, yet living
in Riverton, paying him about $5 per acre, and also some $4 bonus
for the privilege of living in the timber, its protection seeming
indespensable. We believe, however, that this price included
the improvements (?) and the crops. It is certain that Mr.
Dyas immediately bought Government land for $1.25, the price he
had paid for this. The opinion of its being impossible to stand
the bleakness of an open prairie has long since exploded. Mr.
Perry's journey here was one of old-fashioned pioneer experiencea.
Reaching the Mississippi River, they, by driving one ox over at
a time, drawing the wagon by hand, and dragging the cow on her
side, succeeded in passing safely over, the river breaking up the
next morning. In Dubuque he bought provisions and started for
Floyd via Independence, working the trip in three days; his wife
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PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 868
staged it to Independence, then came in on the ox cart, as all
other pioneer women had before. We think the first year in the
log house must have been a lonely one, especially when her husband
was gone a week to Independence or McGregor's Landing, for grist
and provisions. Pork being $1.40 per hundred weight, wheat 60
cents per bushel, and it taking a fu'l week to go' and come, an idea of
the profit in farming can be had. And these experiences have made
Mr. Perry a firm beh'ever in railroads and their advantages. Floyd
County as he saw it at first, had the advantages of milling priv-
ileges at least seventy-five miles distant. Charles City, styled
Freeman Postoflice, had three log houses, one being used as the post-
office and general store, the others, were occupied by John Blunt
and Harvey Kellogg. It was the next spring that Joseph Kelley
started a saw-mill. His neighbors were E. C. Wilcox, Sanford
Ripley, Samuel Clark, John Porter and Hamilton Clark; these
were the residents between his place and Nashua, though at that
date Nashua was unknown. He lived there about eighteen years,
selling to Charles Arthur, and moved to this township where, at
different purchases, he has bought 960 acres, his present farm.
This by no means indicates the acreage of his possessions in the
county, nor of that in Dakota. When he bought his present
home place there were no buildings thereon. To-day the best
in the township are his. Not a house was in sight, and his good
wife thought of a third pioneer experience. But it was not long
before neighbors in this instance were welcomed. Mr. Perry
is cropping on his home place about 800 acres: 560 of corn and
about 200 acres of oats. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry have been born
six children, named as follows: Edgar R., Leander O., Oscar J.,
George E., Carrie L., Edbert* D., all being industrious, temperate
and respected young men and women.
Orlando Powers^ a gentleman of keen discernment and practi-
cal worth in any community, and who by hard labor has to-day a
fine fame with necessary requirements by which farming is made
profitable, was bom in La Chute, Canada, Aug. 7, 1846. He lived
with his parents until about his eighteenth year when he came
West and into the States. His parents' names were Orlando and
Lydia(Hutchins) Powers, both natives of Lh Chute. Mr. Powers
first came to Black Earth County, and moved from there to Iowa
in 1870. Was married in 1869, to Mrs. Lucretia Angel. Their
children are Edwin, Alice and Annie. His step-children are
Charles and Lizzie Angel. Mr. Powers has a farm of 320 acres; is
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864 HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
cropping about 125 acres, divided somewhat as follows: Sixty-five
acres of oats, twenty acres of tame sjrass, and the greater portion
of the remainder of corn. Since the failure of wheat, he has
taken the practical view of the situation, which was to raise more
hay and keep more live stock, consequently he owns 110 head of
cattle, ten horses and 100 hogs. We bespeak for Mr. Powers a
successful future.
George Pringle was born July 3, 1863, near Detroit, Mich.
His parents. William and Elizabeth Pringle, moved from there
to Butier County, la., in 1855, and bought eighty acres of land
from the Government. This was when that section was new, with
but few settlers, and very few improve eraents. He and his brothers,
Robert and James, lived at home until their mother died, when
the family broke up, and he looked about for himself, moving into
Pleasant Grove and working for I. P. Dean by the month. He
bought eighty acres on section 28, and married Georgie A. Smith,
daughter of U. W. Smith, Pleasant Grove. Their children are
George N., who died in infancy, and Allen J.
David Heame^ one of Pleasant Grove's most practical farmers,
was born in Starr County, Ohio, June 7, 1836. His parents were
George and Margaret Reams, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Reams was reared on a farm, and has always been an industrious
and hard-working man. He lived at home until his marriage, at
the age of twenty-seven. He then moved to Fillmore County,
Minn. From there he moved to Pleasant Grove Township. In
1862 he married his present wife, to whom he owes much of his
present prosperous condition, she being a practical farmer in every
sense of the word, and one who will always be a help-mate, a
woman whose advice is sound, and who has health and strength to
follow up what she advises by a \yilling and helping hand. Such
women are not to be found in the crowded and fashionable marts,
but where pluck and common sense is the capital in trade. Mrs.
Reams's maiden name was Mary A. Brisco. Mr. Reams is farm-
ing at present lifty-five acres upon his own land, and sixty-five
acres on land adjacent.
Henry W. Smith was born in what was called No. II, in Somer-
set County, Maine, Oct. 28, 1831. He was a son of William
J. and Susan (Foster) Smith, both natives of Maine. Their family
consisted of five children, three boys and two girls, of which Henry
A. was the eldest. He lived at home until his twenty-<%econd year^
and in his twenty-third year he purchased a farm in Sebec, Piscat-
aquis County, and farmed it about four years. About this time
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PLEASANT GBOVB TOWNSHIP. 865
he married Plooma Cashing, of Atkinson, same coantjj her
parents being James and Nancy Cashing; their family con-
sisted of nine daughters and two sons. Mr. Smith, after selling
his farm in Sebec, owned several others and a mill, and in Novem-
ber, 1865, came to Iowa and bought a farm of Charles Bowman, the
farm he has since resided on, it being the northeast of section 28.
The next June he moved his family out, consisting of wife and two
children — Georgie A. and Hattie A. When he arrived it was as
nature had made it. Taking it from the wild prairie, he at first
built a board shanty on the center of the north lines, in which he lived
two years. It was in this that the first meeting of the township
was held, conducted by a man named Swan, a local preacher of
Waverly, having services ofl[ and on for six months. After this, in
1867, Geo. R. Edmands,a local preacher from Charles City, preached
every two orthree weeks, until School-house No. 5 was built, when the
meetings were held there. It was through the efforts of Mr. Smith
and a Mr. Oilman, each of them pledging $25, and raising the
same amount, that Elder Lee, of the Upper Iowa Conference, in-
cluded them in the Kockford work, supplying them with regular
services through Rockford's preacher. Rev. Mr. Rowen. Thus to
Mr. Smith we give the credit of establishing regular gospel ser-
vices in Pleasant Grove Township. Mr. Smith made the first
assessment in the township, being Assessor the first two years.
Has held several other oflices in the township. Is a member of the
order of A. F. & A. M., being charter member of Alpha Lodge, of
Greene. We find Mr. Smith with fine stock and a practical idea
of farming. He has erected a large and commodious New England-
like bam, has the best pumping-milling apparatus in the township,
the well being seventy-five feet deep, and contemplates putting up
a new house the coming year. His first wife died Dec. 17, 1874.
He married Miss E. J. Brisco, a daughter of John Brisco (see
sketch), an early pioneer, Dec. 26, 1876. To Mr. Smith we are in-
debted for many facts of interest pertaining to Floyd County. He
has on his home place sixty acres of corn, thirty of oats, nine of
wheat, and will have about fifty tons of hay. He has fifteen cows,
tliirty-two young stock, eight horses and seventy-five hogs.
T, W. Waller was born Feb. 14, 1842, in Kentucky. His par-
ents were Theophilus and Nancy Waller; he was the youhgest of
five children. His father died four months previous to his birth,
and his mother and family moved to Rock County, Wis., where
they lived for fifteen years. fl« received a common-school education
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866 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and has worked on the farm all bnt two years; when twenty-
three years of age, he tried his fortune in the silver belt of Vir-
ginia City, going there mostly for his health; he gained much
experience, and from there he moved to Floyd County, about 1870,
bringing his mother with him, and bought one quarter of section 22.
He was married in May, 1875, to Sarah J. Jackson, of Canada,
and has two children— Jessie M. and Marshall W. He has in
crops about thirty acres of oats, forty-five of corn and forty of
wheat. Has fifty hogs, twenty-five cattle and seven horses.
Daniel B, Wood was born in Eastern Tennessee, Monroe County,
March 12, 1828. He was the youngest son of Joseph and Lydia
(Norman) Woods, and of a family of thirteen children. When
about twelve or fourteen years old the family moved to Callaway
County, Mo., living there six years, muving into Jo Daviess
County, 111. During the latter years of his minority he worked
by the month for neighboring farmers. In 1863, he married
Maria Chouder, of Magoffin County, Ky., buying a farm and living
there till 1855, when he moved into the territory, now section 6,
Pleasant Grove Township, la. In 1849 he went to what is now
West Union, Fayette County, before Floyd had been visited by
settlers, and made claim to a quarter section of land. He erected
a log house in a day and a half, Hoosier style, with neither nail nor
bricks, and moved in, covering the log with a canvas until he
had hay for it. He lived in that two years, when the Indian war-
whoop getting too near for pleasant dreams, and safety of wife and
children, he with other earlier settlers moved back to Illinois,
staying there through that year. He moved back in 1859 and has
since been a citizen. He has seen this country grow from a
prairie to the present improved State; from driving to Waverly
with grist, to grinding by the modern windmill. He has ever
been a hard-working citizen, and has reared a family of thirteen
children, as follows: Sarah Jane and Wm. H., born in Illinois;
Mary Elizabeth, Geo. W., L. Augusta, Grace Ellen, Celestia,
Viola, Jessie, Norman C, Ernest J., Archibald D., and Carrie
M., born in Pleasant Grove Township. The first school ever
kept in the township was in his old house, he having built a frame
one. It was kept by Miss Grace Davidson, of Charles City, iu
1862. She had ten scholars. School was held here three or four
years. The following are some of the teachers: Misses L. Conl»»e,
Nellie Conlee, and Miriam K. Bliss, of Charles City. He has 158
acres of land, fifteen or twenty cattle, eight horses and thirty
hogs.
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RIVERTON TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIC.
It was ordered March 2, 1857, that township 94 north, range 15
west; and the eaet half of township 94 north, range 16, and sec-
tions 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36 in township 95 north, range 15 west,
be detached from St. Charles Township, and made into one town-
ship. Thus was formed, and christened, Riverton. On Dec. 31,
1868, sections 28 and 33, in township 95 north, of range 15, was
ordered to be detached from St. Charles Township and attached to
Riverton. These two sections were set back to St. Charles Town-
ship, Jan. 3, 1859, but were again attached to Riverton and
detached from St. Charles, Feb. 4, 1860. At the June session,
1867, of the County Board of Supervisors, in a petition from the
inhabitants of congressional township 94 N., R. 16 W., the east half
of said township was detached from Riverton, forming that pro-
portion of what is now Pleasant Grove Township. Thus Riverton
exists to-day.
TYPOGRAPHY.
Riverton Township is quite varied in its typographical features,
having hill, prairie, timber and quarry. It embraces a surface of
forty-two square miles. The Cedar River takes a serpentine course
from northwest to southeast, through sections 28, 34, of 95 N., 15
W., and sections 2, 1 and 12 of 34 N., 15 W. These sections are
all quite heavily wooded with oak, maple and other trees common
to these Iowa valleys. There are numerous other small creeks and
runs, nearly every section being touched. The southeast and
southern sections generally are prairie, and the soil throughout the
township is fine for corn and oats.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Undoubtedly the first settlers of this territory, now Riverton
Township, were the Parishes, Warburton8,Wilcoxes,Clark8, Dyases,
Ripleys, Gibsons and Perrys; these we know of, but of others we
have no means of ascertaining, many of them having been called
to join the immortal throng **over the river," in the bright realms
(8e7)
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868 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOITNTY.
of eternal life. Many others move 1 from the county to find homes
in other coanties and other States. They came with only moder-
ate means; they had to clear the forest, for timber was sought in
preference to open, bleak prairie; tliey had to erect their cabins be-
fore a thought could be given to the cultivation of the land so
cleared, and even afterward, when the fertile soil began to yield
boantiful fruits, many deemed it wide to sell their squatter^s claim
to other immigrants, and push still farther westward, ofcentimes
repeating a settlement followed by a sale, until one family could
boast of being the first colonists in many townships, and, perhaps,
States. Such claims have we found in Riverton and Pleasant
Grove. The date of the .earliest settlers was 1852 and the spring
of 1853, Joel Parish and the Warburtons coming in 1852, the
former moving into the edge of the county, building him a bark
shanty in which he lived the following winter. The Warburtons —
two brothers — came the next spring, built a log house, in which,
afterward, the first school was taught. They moved from the town-
ship just prior to its organization, one of them at present being a
citizen of Rock Grove, ''Uncle*' Samuel Clark buying the prop-
erty. The Ripleys, who have figured in the history of this county,
came formerly from Gallia County, Ohio. Col. David Ripley,
Judge for Floyd County, Joseph Ripley, and their children, are
too well known to make additional mention; their biographies ap-
pear in their proper place. Sanford Ripley moved first to J^ashua
in 1853, moving within the county in 1854. Joseph Ripley moved
Sanford and family from Ohio, and the next year moved West with
his family onto the farm Mr. Rowen now lives on. The following
year he moved into 94 N., 16 W., where he built the log house in
the grove in which all early settlers were welcome to stay until they
had their cabin or shanty finished. About this time the Wilcoxes,
the Stevens, Dyases, Batons, and many others came from Gallia
County to Floyd. The early life of these men tended to thoroughly
test the '^ true inwardness" of their natures, and among them sin-
cere, warm, enduring friendships sprang up — friendships that were,
and are yet, cemented by ties of mutual obligations unknown to
the present generation; friendships that have grown stronger and
brighter with the passing years.
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EIVKRTON TOWNSHIP. 869
OFFICIAL AND ELEOTIONAL.
The first record found in the towo clerk's collection of old offi-
cial books runs:
State of Iowa, Floyd County.
RivEBTON Township, April 6, 1858.
At the April election the following men were duly elected to
office, to wit: Peter K. Spaulding, Justice of the Peace; Wm. W.
Grant, Alfred F. Warden, Constables; James F. Hall, 0. H.
Young, G. W. Bean, Trustees; David J. Horton, Township Clerk.
FIRST BOAD DISTRICTS.
At a regular meeting of the trustees, the first Monday of Octo-
ber, 1859, they ordered the township to be divided into four road
districts, comprising territory as follows:
Rood District No. 1 comprised sections 26, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34,
33, 36, of 94 north, range 16 west, and sections 1, 2, 3, of 94 north,
16 west, aggregating eleven square miles of territory.
District No. 2 comprised sections 4, 6, east half of 6, east half
of 7, sections 8, 9, 16, 17, east half of 18, of 94 north, 15 west,
making seyen and a half square miles.
District No. 3, the whole east half of congressional township 94
north, range 16 west, the west halt' of sections 6, 7 and 18, sections
19, 20, 21, 28 to 33 inclusive, of 94 north, range 15 west, making
for one supervisor's charge a territory comprising no less than
twenty-six and one-half square miles.
District No, 4 comprised sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23,
24, 26, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 86 of 94 north, 15 west, or fifteen square
miles. If roads had been repaired Eastern style — ten shovelers to
one yoke of oxen, and whisky between loads — it is doubtful if the
cart would have moved from one end of the district to the other
road-working week, unless, as in some Eastern corn-fields, a jng
was at each end and one in the middle, for magnets. But the good
people of Riverton have ever been a temperate community.
The fall election of 1859 was held at the house of Leonard Bell,
Oct. 11. The following ticket was recorded elected: Trustees, Ed-
ward Hall, John Lapeell, C. H. Young; Township Clerk, Peter K.
Spaulding; Assessor, James M. Howard; Constables, NT. F. War-
den, Washington Young; Supervisors of Roads — District 1, G. H,
Clark; District 2,8. M. Blood; Districts, D. McMurray; District
4, F. B. Dowd.
On road- work the following rates were allowed per day in 1860:
Hen, $1; team, $1; wagon, plow and scraper, fifty cents.
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870 mSTOEY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
0BMBTBRIB8.
The firdt cemeterj was set aside in 186f, by Mr. Samuel Clark,
who was the first to be buried there. It is situated on the south
boundary line of section 34, 95 north, range 15 west. The other
cemetery is located in the extreme southwest corner of section 20,
94 north, range 15 west.
OHUBOH MATTERS.
The Riverton Methodist Episcopal church was organized as a
class by Wm. Gibson, under Dr. N. Holmes, then the presiding
elder for this district. It was formed in the Thompson school-house
July, 1866. The original membership of the clas3 was about ten,
four of whom are yet living, they being Mr. and Mrs. Nathan
Thompson, David Beck and wife. They still worship in the same
school-house, having services every alternate Sunday, E. L.Thorpe
being their present pastor (1882), with an average attendance ot
about thirty. There is a Sabbath-school conne(ited with the church,
of about the same attendance. We append a list of officers and
teachers: James Hilliard, Superintendent; David Beck, Assistant
Superintendent; Edgar Wilcox, Secretary; Stephen Bucklin, Treas-
urer; Teachers — James Hilliard, old folks' Bible class; Hannah
Beck, girls' Bible class; Dora Beck, infant class; A. B. Scofield,
boys' Bible class.
The Wesleyan Methodists also have meetings in No. 3, with a
Sabbath-school, and an average attendance of about the same num-
ber as the Methodist Episcopal church.
The first marriage was that of Aldice Grow and Candis Norton,
step-daughter of Sanford Ripley, in December, 1859.
The first school was in the winter of 1857-'58, in the log house
built by the Warburtons, and afterward owned by '' Uncle Sam-
uel " Clark. The teacher was Miss Julia Ripley, daughter of Ool.
David Ripley, County Judge of Floyd County. After the sub-
district had been formed, many schools were kept in the cabins of
the reeidents, until a school-house appropriation had been voted.
In 1865 the following persons were Sub-directors : Sanford Rip-
ley, District 1; D. J. Horton, District 2; James M. Howard, Dis-
trict 3; John Brown, District 4; Peter O'Donnell, District 5;
David Dyas, District 6.
The first school-house was finished October, 1861, A. B. Scofield
and Jacob Color taking the contract. The first term taught within
its walls was by Laura Warn. It originally stood on section 83,
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KrVBBTON TOWNSHIP.
871
but has been moved east 160 rods, to the northwest corner section
34-95 N., 15. W.
To-day there are eleven districts, with aa many hoases, each dis-
trict being independent of the other. Following is a list of the
enrollment of last spring term, average daily attendance and name
of teacher. Of course, this term is the smallest of the year.
District Number.
EnroiX-
HENT.
Ateraob Daily
Attbndakcb.
Teacher.
District Number 1. ..
18
15
Hattie McCune.
District Number 2....
13
11.5
Emma M. Johnson.
District Number 8
14
12.8
Emmagine Porter.
District Number 4....
19
10
Mattie G. Blake.
District Number 5....
16
12
Eittie Cameron.
District Number 6
19
167
Nellie M. Hine.
District Number 7....
21
20.
Ida Weeks.
District Number 8
18
16.6
J. P. Boyce.
District Number 9....
22
18
Besta D. Smith.
District Number 10. . . .
12
10.8
Sarah Feenej.
District Number 11....
20
16
Mary Gray.
THE SIONIFIOANOE OF A PETITION.
A petition, headed by A. W. Preston and signed by sixty-six
others, praying the trustees of the township to call a special election
to snbmit to the voters the question of raising a five per cent, tax to
be levied on the taxable property, as assistance to the Milwaukee &
Nashna Railroad, was the means of a special township meeting.
A long notice, embodying the facts of the case, was issued, calling
the special election, and headed as " A Railroad Tax." The funny
part comes in that the vote stood : for the tax, none; against the
tax, ninety-one. And so died the railroad with the vote.
Carres Mills. — In the year 1867 Messrs. George Carr and
James Hopkin erected a steam saw-mill on section 35 of this town-
ship, which ran successfully for about eleven years, when it closed.
The saw was a circular one, and the capacity of the mill was
about 16,000 feet per twenty-four hours. One log, black walnu",
turned out 6,000 feet of lumber, which at that time was worth
$60 a thousand feet. Walnut is worth much more than that at
the present day. The timber sawed at this mill was altoj^ether of
the hard-wood kinds. The most remarkable thing we can say
about the history of this mill is that, in connection with the build-
ing and running of it, no one was ever killed or seriously hurt
For the last several years Mr. Carr, who had bought out his part-
ner, ran the mill alone.
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872 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
liipl€y*8 Stecm, SavHnill. — This is located on section 84, town-
ship 95, 15, and was built by Sanford Ripley in December, 1855.
It is still rnuning — a rarely long period for a mill of this character
to be kept in working order.
IScofield?% Sorgum Mill was built on its present site about four
years ago — a " Skinner mill," probably the largest sorgum mill in
the county, with a capacity of 126 gallons per day. It is a mill of
four horse-power.
On section 15 is another mill, owned by W. fl. Cheney, and run
by his son. It is a mill of two horse-power. Considerable sorgum
is raised in the township, and therefore the two mills, in their
season, have enough to keep them busy, as the cider-mills of New
England do in the fall.
OREAMEBIBS.
As the wheat crops failed, and settlers were looking about for a
new departure whereby a dollar could be earned, it became appar-
ent from its peculiar situation and its land, and the numerous
water courses, creeks and springs, and its adaptation to grass, that
it was to be a dairy region. And as such it takes high rank,
holding a leading position among the butter-producing townships
of the county, and a reputation in the great butter market of the
East. There are two creameries within the township limits, Riv-
erton and Crystal Spring.
Hiverton Oreainery is located on section 14; was established
April 3, 1882, by a joint stock company of farmers, with a capital
of $1,000, divided into 100 shares. The officers are: S. S. Water-
bury, President; Fred C. Danforth, Vice-President; William Gib-
son, Secretary; Wm. H. Perry and A. G. Buder, Directors. A
dividend of eight per cent, is guaranteed. The capacity of the
creamery is 1,000 pounds per day, is run by steam-power, and all
other modem conveniences known to dairymen. In August, 1882,
they made over four tons of the best butter. Operations beginning
as late as last April, up to July 28 the company had paid $4,900 for
cream alone. It is situated on land owned by the president, who
donates the use of the windmill, well, brick building, and the
grounds for ten years. Truly a man of public spirit.
Crystal Spri/ng Creamery is located on the southwest quarter
of section 27. The proprietors are French & Curtis. Was estab-
lished in 1877, by the "pioneer" creamery man of Floyd County.
He began in a small way, until now the creamery uses an Acme
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BIVBBTON TOWNSHIP. 878
upright engine la churning, and makes from 1,000 to 2,000 poands
a week. The most of its batter is shipped direct to New York
and Chicago markets.
BIOQRAPHIOAL.
Stephen Bucklih was born in Clinton County, N. Y., Dec. 22,
1828, where he lived till 1868, when he came to Floyd County, la.,
and settled on section 5, Riverton Township. He has 127 acres
of good land. He was married Aug. 13, 1856, to Ellen Hill, a
native of Vermont, born in September, 1837. They have six
children— Hollis, born Sept. 21, 1866; Elva, March 20, 1862; Louie,
Aug. 9, 1864; Libby, April 20, 1866; Lowell, Aug. 23, 1868;
Jennie May, Aug. 2, 1873. Mr. Bucklin is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican.
He has held the office of Road Supervisor, and has been a School
Director for ten years.
I)eodat ButleTy farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, Riverton
Township, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1821.
He is a eon of Amos Butler, who died when he was five years old,
and he went to live with his grandfather, Deodat Jeffers. He
went to Dodge County, Wis., in 1861, where he was engaged in
farming till 1867, when he came to this county and settled on his
present farm, where he owns 180 acres. He was married July 2,
1846, to Alvira Meade. They have seven children — Clarinda,
Mary, Myron, Byron, William, James and Warren. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was County Super-
visor two years, and Township Trustee several years.
Z. A, Butler was born in Canada, March 6, 1823, where he
lived till 1840, when he came to the United States, to New York,
where he lived four years ; then went to Wisconsin where he lived
twenty years, engaged in farming most of the time. In 1850 he
went to California; crossed the plains, and remained there three
years, wiien he returned to Wisconsin. In 1864 he came to Floyd
County, lowrf, and settled on section 12, Riverton Township, where
he has 197 acres of good well-improved land. He was married
in 1848 to Rachel Roderick. They had three children — Adell,
Alfred and Sherman. Mrs. Butler died in 1856, and in 1867 Mr.
Butler married Matilda Carter, a native of Canada, born in 1833.
They have four children — Sophronia, Leo, Ida and Berta. Mr.
Butler is a Republican.
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874 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
Oeorge Carr^ son of Joseph Oarr, a native of France, was born
in Franklin Ooanty, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1825. He went to Chicago
in 1844, and in a few days to Wisconsin, where he remained till
1847, when he returned to Chicago. He was engaged in bailding
and contracting there till 1855, when he came to Dabuqae, Iowa,
and the same fall went to Bremer Cannty. He built the first steam
saw-mill in Waverly, and followed lumbering there till 1866, when
he came to this township. He built a steam saw-mill on his land,
and ran it eleven years. He sawed one walnut tree, cut on Cap^
tain Foster's land, on section 27, which mideover6,000 feet of lum-
ber. He did a large business in the saw mill. He was married Aug.
27, 1861, to Frances Stover. Of their eleven children but eight are
living — Ida (Mrs. I. A. Weeks), Florence V. (Mrs. M. Stevens),
Frank L., George C, Robert E., Mary (Mrs. J. Hopkins), and
Cecil. He has been Supervisor several years; was a member of the
School Board several years. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and has been W. M. for the past seven years.
W. B. Carter was b^rn in Ohio, July, 1828. He left there
March, 1853, and came via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to
Muscatine, thence across the country to Floyd County, arriving
here May 4. He settled on section 3, range 15 west, Riverton
Township. He has now 400 acres of good well-improved land. He
is a Baptist, and in his political views a Republican. He was
married in 1848 to Phoebe Ripley, who was born in Ohio in 1826.
They have eight children — Marion, Alice, Augustus B., Julia,
Olive, David, Lorenzo D., and William. David is at home with
his father. He raises both grain and stock.
Nathaniel W. Cotton^ bom in Prince Edward Island, Apfil 17,
1831, is a son of Joseph Cotton, a native of England, who moved
to Siynmit County, Ohio, in 1838, and to Elkhart County, Ind., in
1843. In 1859 he came to this county, and settled on section 17
Riverton Township, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming
and stock-raising ; he also gathers cream for the Nashua Cream-
ery. He enlisted in the war for the Union, in Company G, Twen-
ty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and served about three years. He was
in the battles of Ft. Derissa, Pleasant Hill, Dead Oaks, etc.; was
disabled and laid in the hospital several months. He was married
June 5, 1856, to Sarah B. Mitchell. They have four children-
George W., Luella B., Anna L., and Isaac F. They are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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RIVBBTON TOWNSHIP. 875
Fred. C. Danforth^ born in Prairie du Sac, Wis., Mar. 10, 1864,
is a son of Calvin Danforth, a native of Vermont, and now a resi-
dent of Charles City, la. When he was ten years old his parents
moved to Beaver Dam, Wis. ; to Elkhart, Wis., in 1867, and in the
spring of 1869 to Charles City, la. He graduated in law at Iowa
City in 1876, and took a literary course at Ames Agricultural Col-
lege, of Iowa. He practiced law in Charles City and Spencer, la.,
till 1880, when he came to the farm on section 15, Riverton Town-
ship, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married
in 1878 to Electa Waterbury, daughter of L. P. Waterbury, of this
township. They have one child — James A.
Henry Dodge^ born in Chenango County, N. T., Sept. 10,
1837, is a son of Martin Dodge (deceased), a native of Ver-
mont He resided in Rochester, N. Y., till 1854, when he
came to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw County, where he lived
till 1870, when he came to this county and settled on sec-
tion 14, Riverton Township. He owns 160 acres, and fifteen of
timber land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He
enlisted in the late war in Company H, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. Was
in the battles of Old Town Creek, surrender of General Forrest,
and several others. He was married in 1872 to Kate E. Poole.
They are the parents of five children — Charles E., Herbert, Hor-
ace, Loyal J., and Joseph (deceased).
David Dyas^ bom Jan. 14, 1823, is a son of Richard Dyas, a
native of Ireland. He came to this county in 1855, where he now
owns 337 acres of well-improved land. He resides on section 16,
Riverton Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
He has been Assessor one term; Township Trustee one term;
Postmaster and School Director several years. He married Eliza-
beth Philips. They are the parents of six children, only five liv-
ing—Susan C, Rachel, William R., Ell* V. and Sylvester. One
daughter died at the age of seventeen.
Spencer FavUle^ born in Herkimer County, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1817,
is a son of James Faville, also a native of New York. He
received his education in the common schools of his native
State. He learned the tanner and currier's trade when a boy, and
worked at it fourteen years in New York State. In 1845 he went
to Jefferson County, Wis., where he was engaged in a flour-mill
and the lumber business, and part of the time in farming. In 1863 he
came to Nashna, la., and in 1867 to this county, where he is en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising on section 24, Riverton Town-
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876 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ship. He owns 160 acres and some timber land in Chickasaw
County. He was married in 1839 to Lanra Ostrom. They have
two children. Ostrom married Mary Baker, and has two chil-
dren— Baker and Spencer. Mary married George J. Clapp, who
died Jan. 9, 1878, leaving three children — Olivia A., Rash F. and
Lanra M. Mr. Faville was County Supervisor of Chickasaw County
and is now Township Trustee.
Hon, Alvln L. Flinty born in Orange County, Vt., May 12,
1822, is a son of Phineas Flint, and brother of Hon. W. L. Flint,
of this township. He was educated in the common schools of his
native State, and resided on a farm till 1843, when he went to Jack-
son County, Mich. In 1845 he went to Racine County, Wis.; in 1850
to Green Lake County, Wis. ; in 1860 came to Nashua, la., and to
this county in 1874, where he owns 240 acres of land. He resides
on section 13, Riverton Township, and is engaged in farming and
stock-raising, making the breeding of Devonshire cattle a specialty.
He also owns 480 acres in Butler County. He was married June
10, 1847, to Sarah Vanvalin, a daughter of David Vanvalin, born
in Greene County, N. Y., on the Hudson. Mr. Flint was a Repre-
sentative in Wisconsin in 1861, and has been Mayor of Nashua
two year^.
Hon. Waldo S. Flint, born in Orange County, Vt., Feb. 23,
1820, is a son of Phineas, a native of Hampton, Conn., a son of
Phineas, son of Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel, son of Joseph, son
of Thomas, the emigrant ancestor who came from Wales and set-
tled at Salem, Mass. The old homestead is still in the hands of
his descendants, the Flints, and has never been out of their pos-
session. The deed was witnessed by Giles Corey, who afterward
became a victim of the witchcraft delusion in 1692, and was pressed
to death at the age of eighty years. Waldo S. Flint went to Batavia,
N. Y., in 1836; to Jackson, Mich., in 1841; to Racine County,
Wis., in 1843; to Green Lake County, Wis., in 1850, and came
to this county in 1875. He held offices of trust in Wisconsin,
being a member of both houses of the Legialatnre. He was elected
a Representative for Floyd County in the fall of 1881. He owns
400 acres of well-improved land, and fifteen acres of timber, and
is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married May
19, 1853, to Sarah J. Roaebrooks, of Onondaga County, N. Y. 01
their five children, only three are living — Edwin W., Charles M.,
and Carrie. Charles is married, and living in Nashua.
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RIVERTON TOWNSHIP. 877
Samuel D. trenchy born in Herkimer County, N. Y., May 30,
1842, is a son of Luther L. French, a native of Connecticut. He
received his education in the common schools and at Whitestown
Seminary, in Whitesboro, Oneida County, N. Y. He enlisted in
the late war in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first New
York Volunteer Infantry. Was transferred by the War Depart-
ment to the United States Signal Corps, attached to the Potomac
Army, and was employed in both the Telegraph and Flag depart-
ments of the corps. Was discharged in June, 1865. He came to
Iowa in 1867, and in April, 1869, was married to Elvina Kinney, a
daughter of Hon. Joseph Kinney, a native of Vermont, and one of
the early settlers in the Territory of Wisconsin, and a Representative
in the Legislature of that State two terms. Immediately after
marriage Mr. French settled on his farm in Riverton, which he
now occupies. On his farm is a rich bed of peat, covering several
acres, and averaging six feet in depth. When dry it can be used
for fuel without the use of wood. He also has a never-failing
spring of pure water near his house, and in 1878, by utilizing the
water therefrom, began the manufacture of Creamery butter, and
established what is known as Crystal Spring Creamery, which has
since been in operation.
Rev. William Gibson^ born in Essex County, N. Y., Dec. 9,
1826, is a son of John Gibson, a native of Ireland, who came to
America when a young man. William Gibson received his educa-
tion in the select school of Prof. Eli Maynard, in Clinton County,
N. Y., and was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal
church July 19, 1860. He enlisted in the war for the Union in
Company E, Second New York, Harris Light Cavalry; was in the
battles of Cedar Creek, Waynesboro, Five Forks, Harper's Farm,
Appomattox and others; was Quartermaster Sergeant at the last-
named place. He was injured during the war, and is a pensioner.
Was discharged June 5, 1865. In November, 1865, he came to this
county and settled on his present farm on section 13, Riverton
Township. He was an itinerant minister in Iowa seven years,
under the direction of the presiding elder; was on Horton Cir-
cuit one year; organized a class in Riverton Township in 1866; at
Syracuse one year; Horton Circuit two years, and three years at
Plainfield, where he built up a large church, it being one of the
grandest and strongest churches in this locality. He was ordained
Deacon by D. W. Clark, at Independence, Sept. 26, 1869, and
Elder Oct. 5, 1872, at Cedar Rapids, by Bishop Andrews. After
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878 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
leaving Plainfield he preached three years in Riverton, and has
preached at intervals since. He was married May 29, 1848, to
Hannah McEee. They are the parents of ten children — John H.,
Katie M., William T., Freemont, George A., Imogene, Sadie P.,
Ida M., Frank E., and 0. Eddie.
James M. Howard was born Jan. 1, 1817, in Kentucky; when
one year old he was brought with the family to Lawrence County,
Ind., where he resided until seventeen years of age; he next moved
to Cook County, 111., where he lived until 1852, except two years
in Waukegan, 111., still following farming. Next he went to Cali-
fornia, crossing the plains with oxen, being five months on the
road. In 1866 he returned, by way of the Isthmus of Panama,
and settled in Nashua, Chickasaw County, Iowa, preparing in the
fall to build a house, which he erected and finished the following
spring. His present farm is on section 3, this township, where he
owns 770 acres of good land, and makes a specialty of raising corn,
oats and live-stock. March 6, 1845, Mr. Howard married Lucinda
Carron, who was born in Greenbrier County, Va., April 21, 1828.
They have three children now living, namely: Mary V., born in
Eldorado County, Cal., in June, 1853, and is now the wife of An-
drew Smith; Elbert W., who was bom in Sacramento County,
Cal., March 16, 1856; and Clara A., born in this township March
29, 1862. Mr. Howard belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist church
and in his political views is independent.
Robert «/. Huie^ bom in Ogle County, 111., June 5, 1840, is a
son of David Huie, a native of Scotland, born in 1811. He came
to this county in 1866, and settled on section 28, Riverton Town-
ship, where he still resides. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion
in August, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-second Illinois Infantry;
the last two years they were mounted. He was in the battles of
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Aiken, Averysboro, Resaca and
many smaller one8,and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
He enlisted as private, and at the first camp was appointed Fifth
Sergeant; in 1864 was made Orderly Sergeant, and in the spring
of 1865 was commissioned and mustered in as Second Lieutenant.
He was married in 1862 to Julia A. Hammond. They have five
children — Nellie M., Anna L., Jeesie E., Marshall S., and Recina
K. He has been Assessor six years, and Justice of the Peace five
years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ChoHes Kilboume^ born in Otsego, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1809, is a
son of Giles Kilbourne, a native of Berkshire Count}-, Mass., who
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BIVBBTON TOWNSHIP. 879
died in New York State at the age of ninety-three. He residerl
on a farm till thirteen years of age, when he went to Homer, N.
Y., and clerked in a store for five years. He then went to Cort-
land Academy and prepared for Hamilton College, near Utica,
graduating from there in 1833, with high honors. He taught fi?e
years in Vernon Academy, Oneida County, and Cherry Valley,
Otsego County, N. Y., in the meantime studying law. He was
admitted to the bar in 1839, and practiced in Vernon, N. Y., five
years. In 1844 he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and soon after settled
on Fox Kiver, near Princeton, Wis., where he was engaged in the
lumber business, and then in farming till 1868, when he came to
this county. In 1867 he was a member of the Wisconsin Legis-
lature; was also Justice of the Peace in Wisconsin several years,
and is now Justice of the Peace here. He was married in 1839 to
Mary L. Sayles. They are the parents of seven children — Henry
L. (surgeon in the United States army the past twenty years);
Charles, died in the late war; Frederick A., Edward L., Arthur B.,
Louis D. and Everett L. Mrs. Balbourne is a member of the Con-
gregational church.
JvUusM. iVi^vfn*, son of Russell M. Nevins, was born in Wash-
ington County, Vt, Dec. 20, 1826. In 1837 his parents moved to
Milwaukee, Wis., and to Jefferson County, Wis., in 1838. In 1849
be went to California with an ox team, and came back in the fall
of 1851. He traveled through Washington Territory. In 1859 he
went again to California, and in 1861 returned to Wisconsin. In
1864 he i!ame to this county, and in January, 1873, went to Cali-
fornia, returning the same spring. In 1876 he went again to Cali-
fornia, taking his wife and eldest daughter, and remained one year.
He was married May 29, 1847, to Elizabeth King, of Canada, a
daughter of John King, a native of England. They are the parents
of seven children — Marilla, Adella, Matilda, Almeda, Sarah and
Viola. A son died in infancy.
John NohUj son of Jacob B. Noble, was born near Cornwall,
Canada West, Sept. 18, 1833. In 1816 he went with his parents
to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and in 1856 came to Chickasaw
County, la., and to this county in 1864, where he is engaged as a
farmer and stock-raiser. He owns 235 acres of well-improved
land. He was married Dec. 29, 1861, to Zelia A. Hall, daugh-
ter of E. C. Hall, who came Jo this county in 1859. They have
one child — George E., born May 25, 1868. He has been Constable
and Township Trustee six or seven years.
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880 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Solomon n. Nohle^ born in Cornwall, Canada West, Nov. 20,
1885, is a son of Jacob B., also a native of Canada. His education
was limited. In 1846 he went with his parents to St. Lawrence
County, N. Y., and in December, 1865, came to Iowa, going first
to Chickasaw County, and in 1868 came to this county. He re-
sides on section 24, Riverton Township, and owns 240 acres; is en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married Jan. 22,
1864, to Belinda Holms. They have five children — Marshall H.,
Ada N., Charles E., Katie M. and Cornelia. He has been Consta-
ble here twelve years.
Datiid D. Perry was born in Bergen County, N. J., Sept. 19,
1822. In 1849 he came West and located in Jefferson County,
Wis., and in 1875 he came to this county. He was a miller in the
East, but since coming West has followed farming. He resides on
section 14, Riverton Township, owns 418 acres, and is engaged
both in farming and stock-raising. He was married in April,
1841, to Sarah Haring. They are the parents of six children —
William H., Maria C, Catharine C, Sarah E. and Susan J. They
Ipst one daughter also named Susan J.
William H, Perry^ born in New Jersey, June 6, 1843, is a son
of Daniel D. Perry, and came with him to Wisconsin in 1849. He
came to this county in 1873, where he is engaged in farming
and stock-raising. He was married June 6, 1863, to Martha
J. Balser. Of their throe children, only two are living — Ida
M. and Hattie B. One daughter, Ina B., died at the age of six-
teen months. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Sanford Hipley was born in Gallia County, Ohio, July 27,
1829. He left there in March, 1853, and came, via the Ohio and
Mississippi riverd, to Muscatine, Iowa; from there with a two-
horse team, in company with others, to Red Oak Grove, Cedar.
County, Iowa; from there to where Nashua now is, June 4, 1853.
His father built the first house inside the town of Nashua. Geo.
H. Clark built one a little outside in 1851 or 1852. In the fall of
1854, Mr. Ripley moved to the place where he still lives, section 34,
range 15, Riverton Township. Snow beincr knee-deep, and no
house there, the family camped under the wagon till he could build
a cabin. He has 250 acres of well-improved land. He was mar-
ried in 1846 to Susan Norton, nee Bumgartner, who was born in
Gallia County, O., in January, 1820. They have three children —
Esther, bom Deo. 81,1855; Lovina, Oct. 6, 1860; Maria, June 14,
1863. He ran out with a compass and staked the first road from
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EIVEBTON TOWNSHIP. 881
Nashua, going in a northwesterly direction till he stmck section 1,
range 94-17, which is now Union Township. This continued to be
the re^jjular traveled road for many years. Politically he is a Re-
publican.
A. B. xSb<j;?«W was bom in Clearfield County, Pa., Oct. 28, 1836.
His father moved from there to Rock County, Wis. He lived
with his father till he was twenty-three years old, when he came to
Nashua, Chickasaw County, la., and taught a writing-school one
winter; worked in a fanning-mill factory the following summer, and
taught in the public school in the fall and winter. He built what
is known as the Thompson School-house, in Riverton Township. In
October, 1860, he was married to Sarah Beck, born in Ohio, in
1842. They had four children — Emma Jane, bom in 1862, and
died at the age of two months; Irwin J., born in May, 1866; Mary
L., born in November, 1868; W. A., 1869. Mr. Scofield has been
Justice of the Peace for four years; has been Director and Secre-
tary of the School Board, and has held various township offices.
Politically he is a Republican.
Solomon M. Stevens^ son of Solomon K. Stevens, a native of
Vermont, was born in Cortland County, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1851. In
1855 he came West with his parents and settled in Bureau County,
111., and in March, 1871, came to this county. He resides on sec-
tion 16, Riverton Township, where he owns forty acres; he aUo
owns eighty acres on section 21, and is engaged in farming and
stock-i-aising. He was married in 1876 to Maria Mitchell, a
daughter of Moses Mitchell, now of Chickasaw County. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Riverton.
Scofidd S, Waterburyy born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y.,
Dec. 7, 1833, is a son of Shadrach Waterbury, a native of Con-
necticut, who died when Scofield was foar years old. In 1850 he
went to Jefferson County, Wis., locating in the ancient city of
Aztalan, where he remained till the spring of 1861 when he came
to this county, and located on section 24, Riverton Township. He
owns 345 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, breed-
ing short-horned cattle and Norman horses. In 1874 he imported
French Monarch, a fine Percheron of 1,800 pounds weight. He
also has a colt of his three years old that weighs 1,400 pounds. He
was married in November, 1856, to Annie E. Willis. They are the
parents of six children — ^Electa A., Lizzie D., May E., John P.,
E. Belle, and Willis. Their eldest daughter ie the wife of F. C.
Danforth.
54
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88i HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Q. B. Waterman was born in Berkshire Coanty, Mass., where
he lived till he was four years old , when he moved to Oneida
County, N. Y., and lived twenty-live years. In 1869 he came to
Floyd County, la., and settled on section 28. He has 120 acres of
good, well-improved land. He raises stock, and makes a specialty
of hogs. He sells his cream to the Charles City Creamery. He
was married in 1869 to Sarah M. Bellows. She was born in Mas-
sachusetts in 1852. They have seven children.
A, JB. Warden was born in New York, Jan. 28, 1828, where he
lived till he was four years old, when he went to Michigan and
remained twenty-three years. In the fall of 1855 he came to Floyd
County, Iowa, and settled on section 10, Biverton Township. He
has 120 acres of good well-improved land. He has always been a
farmer. He was married Jan. 1, 1864, to Elizabeth Jane Cleland,
a native of Washtenaw County, Mich., born March 6, 1832. She
died July 24, 1882. They had one adopted child— Albert G., bom
Feb. 6, 1872. Mr. Worden is a member of the Wesleyan Method-
ist church. Politically is a Bepublican. He was the first Con-
stable elected in the township.
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BOOKPORD TOWNSHIP.
The township of Rockford was named from the village of Bock-
ford, the village having been started and named a year before the
township was erected. Etockford is bounded on the north by Bock
Grove, on the east by Ulster, on the south by Scott, and on the
west by Oerro Qordo County. It was settled at a comparatively
early day, and with people mostly from the Eastern States. There
are very few foreigners here. The population of the township is
now about 1,400.
OBGANIO.
The area now known as Bockford Township was formerly in-
cluded in Union Township. A warrant was issued by A. L. Col-
lins, County Judge, March 2, 1857, defining the limits of Bockford
Township to be the same as those of the congressional township
95, ranges 17 and 18, and calling for an election April 6, 1857.
The election was held at the house of Bansom Enapp, with A. H.
Bayley, B. P. Franklin, and Horace W. Fields as Judges of Elec-
tion* The officers chosen at this election were as follows: Trus-
tees, L. G. Hiscox and Henry B. May; Clerk, Horace Steams;
Justices, William Hutchler and J. N. Dennis; Boad Supervisors,
L. G. Buck, Henry Wadey, George Wadey and George Wise.
In 1858 a portion of township 95, range 17, was set off for the
organization of Ulster Township, and in 1861 the remainder of
that congressional township was set off to Ulster. At this latter
time, also, six sections on the southern part of township 95, range
18, were set off and annexed to Scott, and twelve sections from
the southern part of township 96, range 18, were added to Bockford
Township on the north.
EABLT SETTLBMBNT.
In August, 1851, John Grace built a small cabin ajid made a
claim on section 10, township 95, range 18, on the south bank of
the Shell Bock Biver, and near the northwest corner of the present
town site of Bockford. The same year he took up a claim on
what is now known as the Buck farm, and built a cabin there. He
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884 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
was the first actual settler in the township. During this same year
Jacob Beelar also made a claim on sections 8 and 9, on the farm
afterward owned by John Dumbolton, but subsequently aban-
doned it and took up a claim in Union Township. A Mr. Brannon
then took the Beelar claim, and broke eighteen or twenty acres in
1852. Grace also broke a small tract the same season, which was
probably the first breaking done in the township. In 1853 Flem-
ing De Witt and several sons bought out the Brannon, Farlow and
Grace claims, and also laid claim to large tracts of land between
Shell Rock and Linn rivers, covering what afterward became
Wyatt's, Dumbolton's, Dean's and Grace's groves. In 1853 Lee
Furlow claimed the larger part of the groves southeast of Rock-
ford, afterward owned by Green & Stearns. B. F. Adams came
in 1853, and built a cabin on the west side of Linn River, on sec-
tion 5, and broke fifteen or eighteen acres. This was afterward
known as the Ruggles farm. Ambrose Baker built a cabin the
same year, on what was afterward A. L. Carman's farm, and in the
year following broke ten acres.
In 1854 W. J. Green and H. Stearns bought the Farlow claim
of Isaac and David De Witt for $30. Each built a cabin and
opened up a farm. George Breutner, L. G. Buck and O. J. Dean
came in 1854 and bought claims of the De Witts. F. De Witt built
a log house near the little cabin of John Grace. This was occu-
pied by J. 0. Walker, who broke ten acres near where the Burling-
ton, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad depot now stands.
In 1855 Major Rice built a cabin near Wyatt's grove, and
opened up a farm. R. C. Horrlaid claim to that portion of the
present town plat between the Wyatt House and the Shell Rock
River, and the same year sold to R. N. Mathews. Mr. Mathews
also bought Gideon White's claim and moved on it. R. C. Mathews
made a claim, which afterward became a part of S. H. Cutler's farm.
David Ripley claimed the western portion of the town plat. Dan-
iel Mahoney bought a claim north of the Buck place, built a cabin,
and brought his family the following year. D. M. Bemas made a
claim south of town.
In 1856 John Piatt, S. P. Brittain, George Wyatt and Willard
Bowdoin bought the town site of Rockford. Further particulars
are given below in the sketch of the village of Rockford.
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ROCKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 885
IXBST.
The first sermon in Bookford Township was preached by Ber.
John Ball, in John Ferguson's store, in June, 1856. The other
early preachers were, Elers. Hiseox, Saxbj, Holbrook and La Dae,
all of whom came about 1857 or 1858. There are now two churches
in the township, both of which are in Bockford Village.
The first school-house was built in 1857, of oak boards, and was
16 X 24. It was built without battening, and with slab seats. This
was built by contribution, and was used for church services, as
well as for a school-house. The second* school-house in this district
was built of stone, in the winter of 1857 and 1858. It tumbled
down when the frost went out. The third was built of stone, in
1859, and was 26x40; twelve feet between joints. This was for
several years the best school-house in the county. The fourth
school-house was built of wood in 1873. It was 50 x 50, contained
four rooms, and cost $8,000.
The first school was taught by Mrs. J. N. Dennis, in 1857.
Miss Clementine McEwen taught in the fall of the same year.
The first school district in the township was known as sub-district
No. 4, of Union Township. The first district election was held at
• the house of H. Steams, June 15, 1857, with B. P. Franklin as
President, and H. Stearns, SecretStry.
The first marriage license issued in the township was to Wesley
Ames and Miss Oassidy, both of Bockford Township; and this was
also the first in the county.
The first death was that of Mrs. De Witt, in 1853 or 1854.
The first birth is thought to have been that of lola Blanchard.
STOCK.
In 1856 Z. M. Knapp brought to this township seven head of
thoroughbred cattle, one of which was a bull sired by an imported
Devon, owned by ex-Governor Bibb, of Illinois. Soon after, S. P.
Brittain brought in about twenty head of cattle from Illinois,
many of them thoroughbreds, and other grades. Four or five years
after this, D. M.Bemas also brought from New York some twenty
or thirty head of thoroughbreds. Such importations of choice
stock did not fail to improve the stock generally throughout the
western side of the county.
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886 msTOBY OF floyd county.
BAILBOAD.
The Barlington, Cedar Kapids & Minnesota Railroad was fin-
ished to Bockford, Oct. 13, 1871. The people of the township aided
lar^lj in its constrnction. A tax of fiv^e per cent, was voted upon
the real and personal property of the township. The right of way
throngh the township, a distance of between eight and nine miles,
ten acres of land for depot grounds, and $10,000 in cash were
donated to the company. The value of the whole gift was esti-
mated at $25,000. A fuller history of this road is given in the
chapter on railroads.
BRIDGES.
The first bridge across the Shell Bock Kiver, in Bockford Town-
ship, was built in 1858, by private subscription. This was swept
away by fioating ice before completion. No attempt to bridge the
river was made again until 1865, when a good wooden Howe-truss
bridge was constructed, at the expense partly of the county and
partly of the citizens of Bockford. This bridge at Bockford lasted
until 1875, when it was taken down, and the present iron bridge
was constructed by the Canton Bridge Company, of Ohio, at the
expense of the county. It was improved in 1881 at a cost of about
$2,000. ^
A wooden bridge was built by the county in 1866 at " Elmore's
Mill." This was swept away in 1877, and the present iron bridge
constructed, the work bein-^ performed by the Oanton Bridge
Company. This bridge is 250 feet long .
The iron bridge at Euggle's Ford, on Lime Creek in the western
part of the township, was built at the expense of the county in 1874.
STATE AND COUNTY OFFIOBBS.
Several orBockford's citizens have held important positions in
the service of the nation. State and county. Among them are the
following :
E. G. Bowdoin served two terms in the Legislature, from 1860 to
1864, in one of which he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
He held the position of Secretary to the Judiciary Committee in
Congress from March, 1863, to March, 1874.
Alvah Prescott was elected County Surveyor in 1857.
Horace Stearns was several times elected to the same office, and
has held it since 1870. He was County Assessor in 1857, Superin
tendent of Schools in 1866, and Supervisor in 1866 and 1868.
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ROCKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 887
E. N. Mathews was elected County Sapervisor in 1860 and 1862.
J. 0. Baker was chosen Supervisor in 1864.
A. G. Merrill held the same office two terms.
J. S. Ohilds was chosen County Treasurer in 1870.
R. C. Mathews was elected to the same office in 1872.
J. W.^Merrill was elected County Superintendent in 1872.
Orlo H. Lyon served in the State Legislature two terms, from
1878 to 1882.
VIOLENT DEATHS.
July 16, 1858, Jeremiah Eaton, of Saline, Washtenaw County ,
Mich., who had a wife and five children, was drowned in Shell
Rock River, at Rockford. He was endeavoring to cross the river
in a skifi just above the dam, when the deceitful current carried
him over. His body was not found until nine days afterward, about
six miles below. All efforts to find the body near the dam prov-
ing unsnccessful, G. G. and Edward Reiniger, of St. Charles
City, and Horace Steams and O. N. Robbins, of Rockford, pro-
cured two skifts and proceeded down the river. About six miles
below the dam they discovered the body lodged among some wil-
lows in the viciiiity of Marble Rock. It was lying mostly out
of water. They made a temporary coffin, in which they conveyed
the corpse to St. Charles. The next day the citizens in large
numbers followed the remains to the new cemetery. Mr. E. is
said to have been a member of the Baptist church, and he was a
highly respected citizen.
Much credit is due to Mr. G. G. Reiniger for his energetic ef-
forts to discover the remains of Mr. Eaton, and see to their suit-
able interment. He was the owner of some $8,000 or $10,000
worth of property in this county. One or two dollars of money,
a few papers and a watch were found upon the body.
March 17, 1859, Richard Ready was drowned in the Shell Rock
River, at Rockford. He was engaged in running a ferry-boat at
that place, and was taking across the river, above the mill-dam, a
gentleman named Billings, with two children, and a pair of horses
and wagon. The wind blew hard down the stream, the current
was strong, and they were carried over the dam. Mr. Billings
succeeded in swimming ashore. Mr. Pierson, a gentleman who
had a small boat in the river, saved one of the children, and Mr.
Ohilds, a man on shore, plunged in and rescued the other. One
of the horses gained the shore, while Mr. Ready and the other
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888 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
horse were drowned. The body of Mr. Ready was not recovered
until the second day afterward. He left a wife and two children
July, 1867t E. B. Evans, aged forty-eight, was drowned at
Rockford in the river.
Jan. 1, 1868, Samuel L. Knapp was thrown against a tree by a
ranaway team and dragged some distance, and died the Sunday
following.
Gteo;?e P. Ransom, about 1870, was instantly killed, by being
thrown against a fence by a ranaway horse, within a few feet of
where Mr. Knapp was killed.
On the 23d day of December, 1871, the railway bridge at Rock-
ford was crushed by a passing train, and engine, cars and pass-
engers were precipitated down to the ice, apon the Shell Rock
River, a distance of about twenty-five feet. James Judd, an en-
gineer, Robert White, a fireman, and one Bartlett, a brakes-
man, were instantly killed. James Brown and Daniel Maloy, of
Nora Springs, employes of the road, were seriously injured. Not
a passenger was killed or seriously hart.
In 1874 James Scott was killed by a runaway team. This ye r,
also, Lyman Moore lost his way in the evening ou his way ho i e,
and froze to death.
In 1875 L. A. Billings was murdered near the western line of
the county. See chapter entitled '' Criminal."
On Friday, March 10, 1876, the house of Mr. Withey, who live
about three miles northwest from Rackford, on Mr. Starbird's
farm, was struck by lightning three times; the first time it came
down the stove pipe and struck Mr. Withey upon the left hand,
removing the skin from it; it then passed up the arm and down
vhe left side, completely destroying the left foot, leaving; a large
blue streak upon the body. He was conscioas, and alive until about
midnight when he went to sleep and seemed to experience great
difficulty in breathing. He continued to sleep until Sanday at
th ee o'clock in the afternoon, when he died.
OTHER OASUALTIBS.
Oct. 16, prairies on fire in the vicinity of Rockford, resulting in
considerable damage. The fire came upon the dwelling-house of
L. Whitney, on the east bank of Shell Rock, while the family were
eating, and almost instantly the house was in flames. They lost
all their furniture and clothing, and four hogs in the pen. About
thirty tons of hay, belonging to Mr. Greene, and considerable
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SOOKFORD TOWNSmP. 889
fence belonging to him and to Mr. Stearas, were also destroyed.
South of Oharles Oity, also, some losses were a short time previ-
onsly sustained from prairie fires.
Other fires, floods, hurricanes, etc., are noted in the second and
sixteenth chapters.
ROOKFOBD. — ^BBOINNINGS AND BAItLT GROWTH.
In the spring of 1856 John Piatt and S. P. Brittain, of Bockford;
Oeorge Wyatt, formerly from Rockford, but then living at St.
Oliarles, and Willard Bowdoin, of Salem Mass., bought of R. N.
Mathews and David Ripley what is now known as the original
town of Bockford, and had it platted aad recorded. Each of these
gentlemen owned a one-fourth interest. The following yeftr G. W.
Bowdoin bought of Brittain a one-eighth interest. G. Wyatt sold
his quarter interest to D. E. Johnson, who sold one eighth to E. G.
Bowdoin, and the other one eighth to S. P. Brittain. Brittain
afterward sold this one eighth to D. M. Bemis.
During the summer of 1856, these proprietors let the contract
for building a dam across the Shell Rock to O. N. Bobbins, a nd
by fall they had a saw-mill in successful operation. Every board
or 9lab cut from this mill was picked up with eager haste by the
houseless inhabitants. George Wyatt built the first frame house in
the village, and it was also the first in the township, on the block
where the Wyatt House afterward stood. This frame house he
occupied less than a year, when he built the stone one which
became a part of the Wyatt House. Theron Thomas, O. N.
Robbins, D. S. Blanchard, Joel Griffin, H. VT. Fields, S. W.
Haven and Ransom Knapp followed in building their houses as
fast as lumber could be procured to build a shelter. Robbins
hauled his lumber from a saw-mill six miles south of OharJes City.
John Ferguson opened the first stock of goods in the village and
township, in a building afterward the residence of J. W. Merrill.
Ferguson traded this stock of goods to D. Mahoney for his farm, in
the winter of 1856-'7. In 1857 Mahoney sold to V. W. Corey,
who reduced the stock and went out of the mercantile, business.
In the fall of 1856 Charles Smith bought of R. C. Horr 1,100
acres of land, on sections 11 and 12, and he built during the
following winter a log house near the present residence of J. 6.
Ghilds.
In the summer of 1857 D. E. Johnson brought a lot of good
from Oedar Falls, and after forming a partnership with Charles
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890 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Smith, built a temporary store. In the fall of the same year they
built a stone store 22 z 40, on Piatt street, where they continued
in the business until the spring of 1860, when Smith sold his
interest to R. 0. Mathews. The business was then carried on by
Johnson and Mathews until the fall of 1864, when Johnson sold
to R. N. Mathews. The firm was then Mathews <fe Son for some
time, and then this firm sold out to O. J. Wilbur and John Plum-
mer. After a time Plummer sold his interest to Wilbur. Wilbur
then built a store on Wyatt's block. He continued in business
until his death, which occurred in 1879.
The name of Rockford was selected by the first proprietors and
settlers because the great majority of them were from Rockford, 111.
The name was also considered appropriate from the rocky bottom
and sides of the ford in use before any bridge was built.
J. S. Childs and O. H. Lyon came in July, 1857, erected the build-
ing, now occupied by the postoflice, and carried on the mercantile
business until the fall of 1871. Childs was then elected County
Treasurer, and sold his interest to Lyon, who carried on the busi-
ness alone for two years, when Childs was again taken in partner-
ship. They then built a new store, 22 x 60, and carried on the
business together for two years longer when Lyon sold out to
Childs, who has since carried on the business alone.
INOOEPOBATION.
To promote the welfare of Rockford it was thought by many
that it should be incorporated. The question of incorporation was
submitted to the people, March 16, 1878, and was decided in the
affirmative by a vote of ninety-seven to eighty-one. The first elec-
tion for town officers was held April 26, 1878. The officers chosen
were as follows: Mayor, Orlo H. Lyon; Recorder, C. F. Myers;
Trustees, J. S. Childs, Alex. McElroy, L. R. Burton, C. Lyons and
A. L. Plummer; Marshal, J. E. Plumley; Treasurer, O. H. Lyon.
The present officers: Mayor, E. P. Andrews; Recorder, S. W.
Woodhouse; Trustees, H. C. Scott, R. C. Mathews, D. D. Cutler,
J. C. Moore, O. N. Robbins and A. W. Dawson; Marshal, J-
B. Parmenter; Assessor, D. G. Campbell; Treasurer, Harry A.
Merrill.
HOTELS.
The first hotel was built and kept in 1856, by Ransom Enapp.
After about three years he sold out to John Harriman. He had it
about two years, and then sold to B. F. Beebe, of Wisconsin. He
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R00E70RD TOWNSHIP. 801
in turn sold to Levi Lyons, the present proprietor, bnt it is not
now mn as a hotel.
Oeorge Wyatt bnilt his residence on Oak street, near Piatt street,
in 1856, and in 1963 he opened it as a hotel with the name ** Wyatt
Honse."^ Mr. Wyatt has run the hotel ever since.
In 1871 B. F. Beebe built the present Beebe House, and opened
it to the public. His son-in-law, William Dnrkee, was in partner-
ship with Mr. Beebe, and the two ran it until 1881, when the prop-
erty was sold to Dnrkee. The present proprietors are Durkee and
Oritchfield.
HILLS.
In the spring of 1857 Chapman Bros, erected a steam saw-
mill, but soon after completion they became involved and the mill
was taken to Mitchell County.
Sept 1, 1858, a ferry license was issued to George Wyatt, for the
Bockford ferry, with the following scale of prices:
OBNTS.
Double carriage (drawn by two animals) 35
Single carriage (drawn by one animal) 25
Man and horse 10
Every additional horse 5
Any other animal 5
Footman 3
In the year 1861 J. T. Graham having had the foundation of this
flouring mill washed out and the mill washed down the river to
Marble Rock, went in partnership with George Wyatt, built a
dam across Lime Creek and erected a stone flouring mill 3*3 x 42,
for three run of stone. This mill changed hands several times and
was burned in December, 1874. Alex. Elmore, the owner at the
time of the burning of the mill, erected a new and larger one at
the same place in 1875, with four run of stone, size 36 x 50 at a
cost of some $10,000. The mill is now owned by Minneapolis
parties.
J. T. Graham and D. D. Cutler, in 1878, built a dam and flour-
ing mill on the Shell Bock, with four run of stone, size 36 x 46, at
a cost of $10,000. After about two years, Mr. Cutler sold out
his interest to Mr. Graham, the present proprietor.
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^3 mSTOBY OP FLOYD OOUNTY.
BLEYATOB.
The elevator of B. D. Outler and Robert Lindon was built in
1875, bjE. F. Bacon. Mr. Batler boaght a one-half interest iu
May, 1876. Mr. Bacon sold to A. W. Dawson, inTFebraary, 1879,
and he in turn sold his interest to Robert Lindon, in Jane, 1882.
The firm of Catler & Lindon deal in all kinds of grain, particn-
larly corn, and in live-stock. Daring the year ending Jaly 31, 1882,
they shipped two hundred and twenty-five cars of corn, mostly to
Peoria, Dl.; forty-eight cars of oats, mostly to Peoria; fifty-
two cars of flax, to Burlington and St. Louis; thirty-five cars
of wheat, and ninety-four cars of hogs and cattle. They also
grind a great deal of feed, their production of this article alone
reaching 100 car-loads the past year.
The nearest competing elevators are eight miles distant, at
Marble Rock and at !N'ora Springs. This one is valued at $8,000.
The engine and boiler are each fifteen horse-power. The firm have
introduced a new contrivance, by which wagons of corn are driven
on a platform, and the corn is dumped below, without handling,
and there shelled. The only other <^ dump " elevator is at Marble
Rock, and adopted the method after Messrs. Cutler & Lindon intro-
duced it.
OBBAMBBY.
The Rockford Oreamery of Charles Howell was built by Edwin
Price in 1881, but not operated until 1882, when Mr. Howell leased
it of Mr. Price. It is 40 z 30, one story and basement in height, and
has a capacity for making 1,000 pounds of butter a day. The actual
production up jto July 1, averages about 850 pounds a day, or 10,000
pounds a month. This butter is shipped to Eastern markets, and
brings about ten cents more per pound than dairy butter. Mr. Howell
is from Orange County, N. Y., and it was in that dairy country
that he gained his experience. He has every prospect of success
in his undertaking. He runs three cream wagons at the present
time. His is the only creamery in Rockford Township.
BAlfK.
The bank of Rockford was organized in 1871, under the firm
title of Mathews & Son, and maintained the same administrative
power until August, 1877. The entrance of the Hon. O. H. Lyon
marked a new career, and the partnership became, as now, Mathews
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BOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 808
& Lyon. R N. Mathewe died in 1877, and his son, R 0. Mathews,
is now Mr. Lyon's partner. The bank possesses the advantages of
sufficient capital to meet all demands. That it passed throngh the
panic of 1873 unscathed, and the fact of its officers being experi-
enced financiers, men of untarnished record and wealthy, are suf-
ficient evidences to cause the public confidence it has gained and
bound to maintain. The routine work of the bank is attended to
by their efficient and reliable Cashier, Harry N. Merrill, who is as-
sisted by John A. Pearson. The deposits in this bank. May 11,
1872, were, $12,899.43; May 11, 1883, $72,443.17, an increase of
sixfold.
POSTOFFIOE.
The first Postmaster was George Wyatt, who was appointed in
July, 1856. He was succeeded in 1857 by B. P. Franklin, the father
of the present Postmaster. R N. Mathews was appointed in 1858.
The next to fill the office was J. S. Ohilds, who was appointed in
1861. The fifth Postmaster was Orlo H. Lyon, who entered upon
his duties in 1871. He was succeeded, Oct. 15, 1877, by the pres-
ent incumbent, 0. R Franklin, who received his commission from
Keyes, Postmaster- General under Hayes. During the quarter end-
ing June 30, 1882, there were received from box rent, $36.80;
sales of stamps, $407.81; and stamps were canceled to the value
of $353.15.
PROFESSIONAL.
Tlie first lawyer in R)ckford was R N. Mathews, who died in
1878. E. G. Bowdoin, who had practiced about ten years in Mas-
sachusetts, was admitted to the bar in 1856, but never practiced
here. The present practitioners are Robert Eggert, who was ad-
mittedin 1879;EdgarP. Andrews, who came from Hampton in 1879;
J. W. Merrill, who came from Charles Oity in 1872; S. Wood-
house, who was admitted to the bar in 1878, and Mr. McKenna,
who came to R>ckford in January, 1882.
The first physician was James Cortright, who came from Charles
City in 1857, remained about three years, and then went to De-
corah, Winneshiek County, where he now resides. Dr. E. 0. Kim-
ball came in 1858 from ShuUsburg, Wis. He remained about four
yeai:s, and then went to Chicago; thence he went to Colorado. Dr.
N. T. McEwen came here in 1862, from Ulster Township. He is
now in partnership with his son Earl, who has practiced here about
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S94 HISTOEY OF FLOID COUNTY.
on« year. They are of the Homeopathic school. The other pres-
ent physicians are E. W. Wilbur, who came from Woodstock, 111.,
in 1870, and W. H. Nickols, who came in 1875 from Greene, But-
ler Connty.
BUSINESS.
The following is a complete business directory of the village: £.
P. Andrews, attorney; A. Bauman, shoemaker; Mrs. B. Benson,
<iressmaker; F. Bluemensteil, barber; M. E. Bort, druggist; Mrs.
H Boylan, milliner; Burton Brothers, hardware merchants; Will-
iam Oavanaugh^ blacksmith; J. S. Childs & Sons, general mer-
chants; Cornish <fe Dawson, general merchants; Mrs. C. A. Crocker,
dressmaker; Cutler <fe Linden, proprietors of elevator; T. W. Davis,
merchant miller; Durkee <fe Critchfield, proprietors of Beebe Honse;
Robert Eggert, proprietor of paper-mill; C. L. Fay, lumberman;
O. E. Franklin, stationer and Postmaster; A. M. Gage, harness-
maker; J. T. Graham, custom miller; Griffith & Irwin, druggist;
F. J. Hale, grocer, Hanson Brothers, liquor dealers; L. M. Harris,
brickmaker; S. W. Havens, furniture dealer; Mrs. A. E. Hazlett,
dressmaker; C. Heft, shoemaker; O. Howell, creamery man; F. L.
Hunstock, butcher; Johnston Brothers, hardware merchants; C. H.
Johnson, general merchant; F. Kuck, harness-maker; William
Kuck, wagon-maker; Mallory & Hickok, painters; S. Marke, brewer;
C. Martin, wagon-maker; W. D. Martin, Ibutcher; Mathews & Lyon,
bankers; McEwen & Son, physicians; Morris McKenna, attorney;
F. McSpadden, Jr., hardware merchant; J. W. Merrill, attorney;
H. Moore & Co., restauranters; J. C. Moore, general merchant; C.
F. Myers, general merchant; W. H. Nickels, physician; Pearson
A McDougal, machinists; P. E. Phelps, stock and grain buyer; Ed-
win Price, grain merchant; A.Basch, blacksmith; O. N. Bobbins,
liveryman; Isaac Sabelowitz, general merchant; Scott & Jack,
macliinists; A. Schroeder, wagon-maker; D. L. Semler, dentist; C.
M. Smith, general merchant; Smith <fe Robinson, liquor dealers ;
Mrs. S. A. Strait, milliner; R. Straight, gunsmith; E. E. Teape,
jeweler; E. E. Turner, photographer; F. L. Whitney & Co., pro
prietors o{ Beveille; E. W. Wilbur, physician; S. W. Woodhouse,
attorney; George Wyatt & Son, proprietors of Wyatt House; 0.
Yorker, blacksmith; O. Zanke, blacksmith.
The population of Rockford in 1860 was 300; in 1870, 400; in
1880, 700; 1882, 800.
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BOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 89S
THB BOOKFOBD BBYBILLB.
This is a four-page weekly edited and published eyery Thursday
by F. L. Whitney & Co. For a full history of the Reveills and of
the Geologist^ published in the same office, see the chapter on the
'* Press/'
0HUB0HB8 AND SOOIBTIES.
M. E. Church. — ^The first volunteer Methodist preachers in this
vicinity were Bev. John Ball, who came in 1856, and Revs. Free-
man and L. G. Hiscox, who came in 1857. Articles of incorpora-
tion were signed in 1857 by William B. Pierce, John Ball, William
Welch, William Mutchler and George Wyatt. The first Trustees
were George Wyatt, B. P. Franklin, E. M. Van Anken, William
Welch and John Ball. Lots for a parsonage were donated by the
town proprietors. The first circuit preacher assigned to this church
was Rev. W. P. Holbrook, whose circuit extended from Olarks-
ville to Forest City.
Their church was built in 1874, at a cost of $4,000, by W. W.
Blood, contractor. The Trustees at that time were O. J. Wilbur,
J. 0. Moore, Adam Seaver, A. H. Evans and Dr. E. W. Wilbur.
After Mr. Holbrook, Revs. Mr. Hankins, Mr. Glassner, B. F.
Taylor, L. S. Cooley, Joseph Gould and Mr. Bowen successively
officiated as pastor of the church. Rev. J. 0. Magee came from
Fayette in 1870, and remained one year. He is now at Waverly,
He was succeeded by Rev. P. W. Gould, in 1871, and he by Rev.
J. J. Littler, in 1873. The following year came Rev. J. G. Wil-
kinson, and he in turn was followed in 1875 by Rev. William Oobb.
Rev. Joseph Oook was called to the pulpit in 1877, and preached
one year; that year was his last in the pulpit, and he is now in the
insurance business, at Waterloo. Rev. W. W. Smith came in 1878,
from Clarksville ; he is now at Mt. Albans. The present pastor.
Rev. J. H. Heyward, came in 1881, from Raymond, Iowa.
The present membership of the church is sixty-five.
The Sunday-school connected with the church contains about 100
pupils, in seven classes. The library contains 100 books. Dr. E.
W. Wilbur has been Superintendent most of the time for the past
twelve years.
Congregational Church. — Rev. S. P. La Due came from Mitchell
County occasionally during the fall of 1857, and preached to the
settlers. The settling up of the country brought with it an increase
in the number of church-going people, and of these the Oongrega-
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806 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
tionalists eecured their share. Their number had so increased by
Feb. 27, 1858, that on that day the OoDgregational church was
organized. . The following were the first members, they having
previously been dismissed for the purpose from the Rock Grove
church : Burton P. Franklin, Mrs. Rachel Franklin, Mrs. Orpha
Stearns, Mrs. Elizabeth Fields, Lewellyn Whitney, Mrs. Pamelia
Whitney, O. H. Lyon, Oliver F. Way and Marg^et Enapp. B.
P. Franklin was elected Deacon.
Rev. S. P. La Due was engaged to preach regularly, and was the
first pastor of the church. He remained until 1864, and was then
succeeded by Rev. L. Warner, who preached until the early part
of 1872. In the fall of that year he returned to Connecticut. April
1, 1872, Rev. Theron K. Bixby was called to the pulpit. He died
March 13, 1873, after an illness of but a few days. Rev. Q. A.
Paddock succeeded him July 20, 1873, and remained as pastor
until June, 1876, when his health failed him and he removed to
Colorado.
The Congregational society was organized Dec. 6, 1864, with the
following corporate members, '* for the purpose of building a
church and advancing the general interests of religion": George
Wyatt, H. Stearns, J. C. Baker, W. J. Green, L. Whitney, C. A.
Crocker, Robert Knapp, J. L. Graham, N. L. McEwen, J. S.
Childs, and L. Warner. The first Trustees were H; Stearns, J. C.
Baker and W. J. Green. The contract for building a church waa
let to L. Whitney. The lumber for this church was hauled from
McGregor, a distance of 110 miles. Th6 church was completed
and dedicated in June, 1865, and cost $2,500. It was re-covered,
painted and otherwise thoroughly repaired in 1875, during the
pastorate of Mr. Paddock.
Rev. Mr. Paddock was followed by Rev. James B. Gilbert, for-
merly from the East, and immediately from Wilton Junction,
Iowa. Mr. Gilbert was a man of some ability, and ready and
independent thoaght, and was well liked by his congregation. He
left in 1879, and is now at Fontanelle, Neb. He was succeeded by
, the present pastor, Rev. Charles F. Dykeman.
June 24, 1882, a destructive storm visited Rockford, and com-
pletely demolished the church edifice. The leaders at once set
about raising funds to rebuild the church, and this work is rapidly
progressing at the present writing.
The Sunday-school was organized first as a anion school, and
held services in the school-house until the Oongregationalists
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SOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 899
erected their church, whea thej started a school of their own. The
present membership is about 100. The Superintendent is Dr.
Earle McEwen.
The Fint Baptist Church of Rockford was organized in March,
1858, at the village school-bouse. Among the first members were
S. W. Haven, Mrs. S. J. Haven, Raasom Knapp, Mrs. Emelino
Bobbins, Mrs. Julia Beady, all from Rockford, 111.; and T.
Thomas and wife, from Connecticut. The society was legally n-
corporated in 1870, and the Trustees chosen at this time were
W. Haven, W. S. Hogobone, Lewis B. Olark, Oharles Watkins
and J. B. Hogobone. S. W. Haven was chosen Clerk and Treas-
urer. The officers elected since are as follows:
1871. — Same as preceding year.
1872.— Trustees: S. W. Haven, W. 8. Hogobone, Lewis B.
Clark, J. B. Hogobone and John S. Laucks; Clerk and Treasurer,
S. W. Haven.
1878. — Same as preceding year.
1874. — Same as precedin;^^ year.
1876. — Same as preceding year.
1876. — Same as preceding year.
1877.— Trustees: A. Quackenbush, L. B. Clark, L. B. Webster,
B. Strait, and S. W. Haven; Clerk and Treasurer, S. W. Haven.
1878. — Same as preceding year.
1879. — Same as preceding year.
1880. — Same as preceding year.
1881.— Trustees: A. Powers, L. B. Clark, L. B. Webster, R.
Strait, and S. W. Haven; Clerk and Treasurer, S. W. Haven.
1882. — Same as preceding year.
The first services of the denomination were conducted by Rev.
D. B. Mead, of Rock Grove, in 1868. Meetings were at first held
once in four weeks. Among the various pastors the society has
had were Rev. Alvah Plumley, and Rev. Mr. Author, the last
pastor. Since 1872 they have held no regular services. They
have no church building. The Sunday-school was discontinued
the same time with the church services.
Sirius Lodge^ No. 328, A. F.. <k A.M.y was organized with eighteen
members under dispensation, Jan. 14, 1873. The dispensation
was granted Jan. 6, 1873, and appointed R. C. Mathews, W. M.;
0. Watkins S. W., and A. Q. Merrill, J. W. The W. M. appointed
the following officers pro tem.i J. C. Moore, Treasurer; W. H*
55
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900 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Porter, Secretary; J. B. Williams, S. D.; A. Ello, J. D.; D. A*
Nashy Tyler. The charter was granted Jane 4, 1873, aad the first
officers elected under it were as follows: R. C. Mathews, W. M.;
0. Watkias, S. W.; A. Q. Merrill, J. W.; T. S. Kelso, Treasurer;
F. L. Warner, Secretary. The present officers, elected in June,
1882, areas follows: J. 0. Moore, W. M.; H. A. Merrill, S. W.;
F. Boulden, J. W.; 0. Watkins, Secretary; H. Stearns, Treasurer.
The present membership is fifty-six. The lodge is in good con-
dition financially. It meets once a month.
Pioneer Lodge^ No. 194, 7. O. 0. F.^ was established at Rudd,
Oct. 20, 1870, and was removed to Rockford in the summer of 1878,
by permission of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The first officers
elected after the removal were chosen at a meeting held Deo. 4,
1873, and areas follows: Orson T. Brainard, N. G.; James Lewis,
V. G.; A. 0. Lyons, Secretary; J. 0. Moore, Treasurer. The present
officers areas follows: J. M. Fuller, N. G.; W.T. George, V. G.;
H. 0. Scott, Secretary; O. Hoi tan, Treosurer; August Bauman, R.
S. to N. G.; S. W. Woodhouse, L. S. to K G.; J. G. Hess, R 8.
to N. G. The present membership in good standing numbers
about forty-five. The lodge is in good condition, and meets every
Monday evening at Masonic Hall.
Rookford Lodge^ No. 16, /. O. G. T.y is a continuation of Per-
severance Division, N'o. 18, Sons of Temperance, which was organ-
ized in 1876. This division met regularly until in 1880, when a
majority of the members desired to change their organization and
become a lodge of the I. O. G. T. A charter was accordingly pe-
titioned for by fifty of the members, and their charter was granted
Nov. 19, 1880. The society, when known as the Sons of Temper-
ance, was for some time known as the *^ banner" division in the
State, it having the largest membership. Since the change the
society has prospered financially and otherwise. It meets Friday
evenings at Griffin's Hall. The officers for the first quarter after
the charter was granted, were as follows: John Booney, W. 0. T.;
Mrs. R. 0. Mathews, W. V. T.; Rev. W. W. Smith, W. Ohap.;
K. M. Potter, W. Sec; Miss Alice Childs, W. A. Sec.; R. M.
Briggs, W. F. Sec; Mrs. E. W. Wilbur, W. Treas.; E. W. Wilbur,
W. M.; Mrs. W. H. Nickols, W. D. M.; Miss Nanny Watkins,
W. I. G.; T. W. Davis, W. O. G. ; Mrs. D. D. Outler, W- R. H. 8.;
Mrs. 0. Wyatt, W. L. H. S. ; Rev. C. F. Dykeman, P. W. 0. T
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BOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 901
Fidelity Chapter ^ No. 42, O. E. S,^ was organized in Janaarj,
1874, with a membership of twenty-four. The first oflBicers were
as follows: Mrs. L. Yorker, W. M.; Christopher Yorker, W. P.;
Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, A. M.; Mrs. J. J. Littler, Con.; Mrs.
Harriet Merrill, A. C. ; Charles Watkins, Sec. ; John Carson, Treas.;
Mrs. J. C. Moore, Warder; Fred. Warner, Sent. ; Mrs. Delia Wat-
kins, Adah; Mrs. Sarah Whitney, Ruth; Mrs. Eveline Warner,
Esther; Mrs. Etta Reed, Martha; Mrs. Pollie Carson, Electa.
The oflBice of Worthy Matron has been held successively by Mrs. L.
Yorker, Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, Mrs. J. J. Littler, Mrs. Mary
E. Wilbur, Mrs. Harriet A. Merrill and Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews.
Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews has held the office of Grand Lecturer for
two years in the Grand Lodge, and is now serving her third year
as Grand Matron. Mrs. Mary E. Wilbur was Grand Conductress
two years. D. H. Moore was Grand Secretary for two years.
Mrs. Adella Booney was Grand Adah one year. Mrs. Julia M.
Earnum was Grand Organist one year. This is an excellent rep-
resentation for the Bockford Chapter. The present officers are
as follows: Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, W. M. ; Harry E. Merrill,
W. P.; Mrs. Julia M. Barnum, A. M.; Mrs. Mary E. Wilbur,
Sec; Mrs. Francis Durkee, Treas.; Mrs. Cora L. Merrill, Con.;
Mrs. Augusta Boulden, A. C. ; Mrs. Nancy Knapp, Warder; Orrin
D. Hoege, Sent; Mra. Adella Booney, Adah; Mrs. Orpha 0.
Steams, Bnth; Mrs. Mary C Scott, Esther; Mrs. JuliaA. MartiUi
Martha; Mrs. L. Yorker, Electa. The present membership is
thirty-four. The chapter is in good condition financially and other-
wise. It meets at the Masonic Hall the first and third Wednes-
days of each month.
TU W. G. T. U., of Rochfordy was organized May 6, 1882, at
the M. E. church, by Mrs. Aldrich, of Cedar Bapids, State Or-
ganizer. At this meeting twenty-three ladies joined, a constitu-
tion and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected. These were
as follows: President, Mrs. Jane Blanchard; Yice-Presidenta,
Mrs. Mattie Fay and Mrs. J. T. Graham; Secretary, Mrs. S. G.
Wilbur; Treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Hey ward. This was the sixth of
the seven local unions organized in, Floyd County, the last one be-
ing organized at Marble Bock. The Bockford Union has a mem-
bership of thirty-five, steadily increasing. Its leaders feel hopeful
as to their future work. It meets every week at the M. E. church,
And will meet every other week in the Congregational church,
when that shall be rebuilt.
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902 fflSTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
E. P. Andrews, attorney, was bom in Henry Oounty, Iowa,
July 14, 1853. His father was a native of Virginia, and his
mother of Ohio. Mr. Andrews w&s admitted to the bar May 1,
1879, and commenced the practice of law the following December,
in Eockford, Iowa.
M. E. BoTt one of the prominent citizens of Rockford, was born
Feb. 16, 1846, in Herkimer County, N. Y. He left New York,
when seven years of age, moving to Ossian, Winneshiek County,
la., where he subsequently engaged in the drug business. In 1876
he removed to Charles City, and one year later came to Rockford,
where he has since resided. He is engaged in the drug business
here and also keeps a full line of jewelry. His marriage to
Eugenia Moe, occurred at Avoca, Pottawattamie County, la., on
Sept. 11, 1873. She was born in Wisconsin, March 11, 1848. They
have three children — Earl Leslie, born Feb. 17, 1875; Edna, March
22, 1877, and Clyde, June 22, 1879. Mrs. Bort is a member of
the Free- Will Baptist chuich, and politically Mr. Bort is a strong
Republican.
Hon. Elbridge O. Boiodoin^ of Floyd County, la., was bom at
South Hadley Falls, Hampshire County, Mass., on the 16th day
of February, 1820. His father, H )n. William Bowdoin, of Hugue-
not origin and a descendant of the same ancestors as the Bow-
doins of Boston, was for more than forty years a practicing
attorney of the Massachusetts bar and for several terms a member
of the Massachusetts Senate. The subject of our sketch was edu-
cated at Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he graduated in
1840. After graduating he commenced the study of law, but sub-
sequently for some time taught an academy at Spencertown, Colum-
bia County, N. Y., and again from 1842 to 1845 was similarly
engaged at Milton, Caswell County, N. C. Keturning to Massachu-
setts, the latter year, he resumed his legal studies with Judge Henry
Morris, at Springfield, where in May, 1847, he was admitted to
practice by the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Immediately
after he removed to Amherst, where he entered into partnership
with the Hon. Edward Dickinson, with whom he continued in the
practice of his profession until 1855, when, owing to ill health, he
made a journey to Iowa, which eventuated in his becoming inter-
ested in real estate in Floyd and adjoining counties, and a resident
of the town of Rockford, of which he was one of the original pro-
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BOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 90S
prietors. In 1856 he was admitted to the bar of Floyd Oonnty,
bnt never practiced there. In 1859 he was elected a member of
the Iowa House of BepresentativeSy which met in 1860, from the
district then composed of the counties of Floyd, Cerro Gordo,
Worth, Hancock and Winnebago, in which session he was a mem-
ber of the Judiciary Committee, and Chairman of the Committee
on Schools and State University. He was re-elected to the assem-
bly which met in 1862, in which session he was Chairman of the
Committee on Ways and Means, and a member of the committee
or apportioning the State into congressional districts. In 1860
he was a memberof the Iowa delegation to the National Republican
Convention, at Chicago, which nominated Mr. Lincoln. In De-
cember, 1863, going to Washington he was made Clerk of the
Judiciary Committee of the House of Repre^ntatives, of which
the Hon. James F. Wilson, of Iowa, was Chairman, which position
he retained for nearly ten years, six of them with Mr. Wilson as
Chairman, and the remainder with Hon. John A. Bingham, of
Ohio. Since that time he has resided at Rockford, where he is
principal proprietor of the unoccupied town property, and is
engaged in farming and dealing in real estate. He is one of the
most public spirited men in the Shell Bock Yalley. He was never
married.
If. D. Bowles^ one of the prominent citizens of Bockford Town-
ship, is a native of Holmes County, 0., born May 3, 1833. He
was reared and educated in his native place, residing there until
his eighteenth year, when he came* to Iowa, locating in Clayton
County, in the summer of 1851. In 1872 he moved to Osceola
Cotmty, and in 1877 to Floyd County, where he has remained
since. His marriage to Bertha A. Cummings occurred Nov. 14,
1866. She was bom in Michigan, June 29, 1837. Mr. Biwles
unlisted in February, 1862, in the Sixteenth United States Infantry,
and served two years, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Chick-
amaugua. Mission Bidge, Besaca, Eennesaw Gap, Atlanta, and
was captured just before the memorable battle of Perry vi lie, Ky.,
bnt succeeded in making his escape that night, and returned to his
regiment. He was appointed master of tmnsportation for the
army from Louisville, Ky., to Fort Scott, Ean., and was there
from June until the following January. After the close of the war
he returned to Floyd County, and has been prominently identified
with the agricultural interests of Bockford Township since. Polit-
ically he is a strong supporter of the Bepublican party.
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904 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
William Branmton is a native of England, bom June 6, 1884*
He received his education in his native country, and there learned
the builder's trade, which he followed until 1871, when he came
to the United States, and to Rockford, la., via Chicago. He has
built many of the residences in Rockford, and has been very suc-
cessful. He was married in his native country, in 1866, to Emma
Haslett, who was born in England in 1843. Their union has been
blessed with six children — ^Ernest, Marian, Hugh, Blanche, Harold
and E^a. The first three were bom in England, the last three in
America. Mr. Braunton, in politics, is a strong supporter of the
Republican party. He is a member of the Establidhed Church of
England.
Stephen P. BrittonwAs born in Elizabeth, N. J., and there his
boyhood was passed, and his education received. In 1848 he left
his native State for the West, and located in Chicago, III., where
he engaged in the practice of law two years; then removed to
Winnebago County, 111. He farmed on Rock River nine years, and
in 1856 came to Floyd County, purchasing an interest in the town
property of Rockford. He now owns 360 acres of fine land, ad-
joining the city. He was married in 1858 to Annie D. Porter, a
native of Zanesville, 0., bom in 1886. They have three children
— Stephen, bom in 1860; Robert, in 1862, and Annie, in 1871.
Mr. Britton is classed with the prominent farmers and fine-stock
breeders of the county, and owns some choice imported cattle,
horses and hogs.
Henrt/ Bumgardner was born April 17, 1825, in the State of
Ohio. He lived there until 1857, when he came to Floyd County,
and settled on section 28, Rockford Township. He now owns
230 acres of as fine land as there is in the county, all under ex-
cellent cultivation, and containing many improvements and con-
veniences not found on the average farm. He learned the miller's
trade in Ohio, and has followed that occupation in connection with
farming much of the time since coming here. He was married
in 1858. Mrs. Bumgardner was born in Indiana in 1840. Tliey
have seven children — Albert Newton, born in 1860; John Leeson,
in 1862; Mary C, in 1864; Eddie Jasper, in 1866; William
Henry, in 1868, Estella, in 1875, and Carter, in 1879. Mr. Bum-
gardner has held the office of School Director four terms.
D. O. Campbell is a native of the township of Eldon, Victoria
County, Canada West, and is at present engaged in clerking in
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BOCKFORD TOWNSHIP. 906
Rockford, Floyd County, la. He was married Feb. 22, 1871, and
has a family of five children, two sons and three daughters.
John S. Ohilds is a native of Woodstock, Oonn., bom Sept. 80,
1833, a son of John Ohilds, a snccessful farmer, and Alice, nee
Walker. His parents are excellent examples of the higher type
of Puritanic character; honest, industrious and frugal, rearing
their children in the strictest principles of integrity, and early
teaching them that idleness was to be no part of their inheritance.
They are still living at the advanced age of ninety years. John
Ohilds, Sr., has always been noted for his sterling Christian
character, and for doing well whatever he undertakes to do. Mrs.
Ohilds is an estimable woman of superior intellectaal abilities, and
is thoroughly posted on all the topics of the day, and on matters
pertaining to the General Government. She is ready and expert
in argument, and believes that it is a woman's duty, equally with
her right, to inform herself in all practical' knowledge attainable
by a careful husbandry of spare time. She is a devoted Ohristian,
and has laid up a rich store of treasure for the great hereafter.
John Spencer Ohilds was educated in a select school in his
native town, and subsequently taught a few seasons. In March,
1867, he emigrated to Iowa, selecting Rockford as the scene of his
future labors. He embarked in the mercantile business with his
brother-in-law, O. H. Lyon, now a banker of Rockford. The firm
of Ohilds & Lyon continued for twelve or fifteen years, and few
houses in the Shell Rock Valley were better known, or were the
recipients of more extensive trade than they. Mr. Ohilds is still
in the business, having operated alone until the past four years,
since when his son Harry has been in partnership with him and
manages the entire business. Mr. Ohilds, Sr., was married March
30, 1858, to Lydia F. Lyon, a native of Woodstock Oounty. They
have five children — Harry M., Alice S.» Mary L., Anna G., and
Leonard W. Politically he favors the Republican party.
jp. B, Cogswell is a native of Erie Oounty, N. Y., born in the
town of Wales, Mar. 20, 1834. When sixteen years of age he left
his native State and went to Pennsylvania, returning two years
later. He subsequently emigrated to Illinois, where he remained
two years; then went back to New Yprk; thence to Waushara
Oounty, Wis. He owned a farm of eighty acres on section 15,
Richland Township, which he sold in 1881. He was elected to all
the township offices of Richland Township, and was Sheriff of the
county two years. He came to Floyd Oounty, la., in 1873, hav-
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906 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
log previously purchased land here in 1868. He owns 160 acres
and is classed with the representatire farmers and breeders of fine
stock of Floyd County. He was married Dec. 10, 1866, to Mar-
tha Leigh, who was bom in England in 1833. Three children have
been bom unto them — Eva T., born Dec. 6, 1857, in Waushara
County, Wis., and died ifi Rockford Township, la., Feb. 17, 1878,
of typhoid fever; Addie I., bora August, 1862, and Frank, Sept
7, 1868. In his religious views Mr. Cogswell is a Liberalist, and
politically is a Republican, and has been elected by that party to
many of the local oflBices. He is at present serving as Road Super-
visor and School Director, to the entire satisfaction of his constitu-
ents.
S. JS. Cogswelly one of the prominent citizens of Rockford Town-
ship, was bom in Wales, Erie County, JN. Y., Feb. 7, 1840, and
was there reared and educated. He emigrated to Ogle County,
111., in 1861, and engaged in farming there until 1880, when here-
moved to Floyd County, la., and settled upon his present farm of
140 acres, on section 2, Rockford Township. This farm is under
excellent improvement and thoroughly stocked. He was married
Nov. 20, 1866, to Frances Hubbard, also a native of Erie County,
N. Y., born Oct. 1, 1841. They have had four children— Ettie,
bora Feb. 18, 1859; Willie, bora Mar. 1, 1865, died Mar. 26, 1870;
Minnie Ellen, born Nov. 28, 1869, and Lizzie, Sept. 18, 1874. Mr.
Cogswell is at present serving acceptably in the oflBices of Road Su-
pervisor and School Director. In politics he is a strong Republi-
can.
Johm, D. Conner was born in Holland, Erie Coiinty, N. Y.,
Aug. 22, 1832. His father, S. B. Conner, was born in St. Law-
rence County, N. Y., in 1811, and died March 1, 1877. His
mother, Tufanny Dake, was bora in Holland, N. Y., March 22,
1815, and died March 24, 1872. His parents were early settlers
of Holland, N. Y., and moved to Wisconsin, where they both
died. They had nine children ; seven are still living. While in
New York, Mr. Conner carried on the daguerreotype business for
seven years. In 1862 he went to Warren County, Pa., where he
lived three years. He then moved to Wisconsin and remained
six years ; from there, to Floyd County, la., and settled in Ulster
Township ; two years later went to Rudd and lived four years ;
then came to Rockford, where he kept a restaurant for three years,
when he sold out, and has since followed painting most of the
time. He has had a wooden leg since he was fifteen years old.
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BOOKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 907
I
Hifl wife, Urania E. Orowell, was bom in Oenterville, AUeganj
Oounty, N. Y., Sept 23, 1827. Her father, Samuel Orowell, died
in New York in 1862. She was the oldest of his seven children.
Her uncle, Edward Orowell, was one of the first settlers of Floyd
Oounty, and owned a large farm. He died in Ulster Township, in
1880. His large family of fourteen children all reside in Iowa.
O. K Cutter^ one of the representative citizens of Eockforcf
Township, was bom in Oayuga Oounty, N. Y., June 26, 1847.
His father is a native of Herkimer Oounty, N. Y., bom June 3,
1810 ; his mother, of Pennsylvania, bom Jan. 21, 1821. They
are now residents of Oerro Gordo Oounty, la. The subject of this
memoir came West with his parents in 1854, settling in Wisconsin,
where they resided eighteen months, then removed to Floyd
Oounty, la., locating on a farm about four miles south of Oharles
City. One year later they went to Oerro tiordo Oounty, where
O. £. resided eight years, engaged in farming. He was married
on Jan. 8, 1879, to Josephine M. Pemess, who was born in La
Salle Oounty, 111., March 4, 1847. Two children have been borA
of this union — Cynthia M., born May 9, 1880, and Clara, Feb. 4,
1882. In politics Mr. Cutter is independent, voting for the man
rather than the party. He is e:^tensively engaged in farming and
£tock-raising in this township.
T, W. Davi€8f miller and grain merchant, Rockford, was born in
the State of Connecticut, Oct. 15, 1849. Bis parents moved to
Kewanee, Henry Oounty, 111., when he was quite young, and he
was there educated and learned the miller's trade, which he followed
there *three years; then went to Minnesota, where his parents had
moved in the spring of 1870. He worked in a mill two years,
then engaged with the topographical surveyors on the St. P. & P.
R B., now the St. P., M. & M. In the fall of 1872 he resumed
the milling business, being employed in the Sauk Oenter and Min-
neapolis Mills until December, ^1876, when, in company|pith his
brother William, Peter and Wm. Henry, formed a milling com-
pany at Belle Plaine, Minn., and continued in that connection until
the fall of 1878. He and his brother William then came to Bock-
ford, la., where he has been running the Excelsior Mills since.
His brother returned to Belle Plaine in 1880, where he is engaged
in running the mill they formerly owned. Mr. Davies was mar-
ried Sept 16, 1880, to Laura Stearns, who was born in Pittsfield
Mass., April 26, 1846. She is a member of the Congregational
church. In politics he is a Bepublican, and is one of the promi*
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908 HI8T0BY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
nent citizens of Bockford, being known throngbont tbe coantj as a
man of irreproachable basiness integrity.
Charles Jay Du/mhoUan was born in the State of New York^
July 27, 1863, and was the yoangest of a family of tbree children^
viz. : Nathan, Luoiud and Jay. In 1856 he left his native State,
and with his parents mo^ed to Wisconsin, settling in Oolambia
Gonnty. He received a practical education there, and in 1868 came
with his parents to Floyd County, la. They settled upon a farm
of 360 acres, on sections 9 and 10, which they still reside upon.
Jay manages the farm for his parents, who are now in their declin-
ing years, and in connection with farming operates a steam thresh-
ing machine. He is a Republican in his political views, and i
classed with the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Floyd
County.
. John Dumholton was born in Otsego County, N. Y., May 19,
1806. In 1856 he left his native State fof the West, and located
in Baraboo, Wis. From there he moved to Columbia County^
that State; thence to Floyd County, la. He settled on section 9,
Rockford Township, where he now owns a finely cultivated farm
of 360 acres. He was married in Otsego County, N. Y., on June
8, 1834, to Harriet A. Coe, a native also of the Empire State, born
in the town of Scriba, on April 5, 1813. Five children have
blessed this union, viz.: Samuel, bom April 18, 1835; Louisa,
Nov. 9, 1837; Lucius-B., April 1, 1843; Nathan H., June 5, 1848;
and Charles Jay, July 27, 1861. The eldest son,^ Samuel, was
drowned in the Tennessee River at Paducah, £y., on March 25,
1864, while serving in the Union army, a member of Thirty-
second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Dumbolton has
retired from active business life, and his son, Charles Jay, is man-
aging the farm. He is classed with the prominent agriculturiBt&
and stock-breeders of Floyd County, and in politics is a strongs
Eepublipn.
WilUam Durkee^ proprietor of the Beebe House, Rockford, la.,
was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., July 30, 1839. At the
age of seven years he came West with his parents, locating in
Green Lake County, Wis., where he remained until March 4, 1864,^
when he came to Rockford, Floyd County, la. Since his residence
here he has engaged in the hotel business, and is known through-
out the county as a genial, gentlemanly host, and a popular land-
lord. He was married March 14, 1864, to Miss Frances Beebe, a.
native of Attica, Wyoming County, N. Y., born Feb. 14, 1844. They
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BOOEFOBD TOWNSHIP. 90^
have three children — Jennie 0., bom May 29, 1866; Frank, Nov.
11, 1868, and Robert Nelson, Feb. 26, 1874. Mrs. Dnrkee is a
member of the Congregational church. He has always been a
strong supporter of the Democratic party.
Sohert Eggerty one of the prominent citizens of Bockford, is a
native of Magdeburg, Prussia, bom in 1839. He emigrated to
London, England, in 1858, and to the United States in 1859. He
came to Delaware County, la., in 1860, and ten years later to
Floyd County. He farmed until 1875, and in that year com-
menced the study of law at the State University at Iowa City,
continuing until 1877, and has practiced law in Charles City and
Bockford from that time until the present He edited the Bock-
ford jReveUle from July, 1877, to July, 1882, and is now engaged
in the erection of a paper-mill. He was married to Miss Maggie
Hoffman a* Bockfiord^ la., Nov. 7, 1877. She was born in Free-
port, 111., in 1868. Of three children born of this union, two are
living — ^Alfred and Alice. As a lawyer of undisputed talent, Mr.
Eggert ranks with the first of his profession; and as a gentleman
of eminent social qualities, he has few superiors.
A. H. Evans was born in Steuben County, N. Y., Dec. 22,
1832. He was married Jan. 18, 1855, to Elizabeth Conrad, who
was born in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830.
There are two adopted children — F. D., born Feb. 23, 1855, and
Hattie, bom Feb. 22, 1877. Mr. Evans came to Floyd County,
Iowa, in 1867, and now has a fine farm of 100 acres on section 34,
Bockford Township. He is a Bepublicau in his political views and
has held the oflBice of School Director and Boad Supervisor several
terms. In religious belief he is a Methodist He enlisted Feb.
2, 1864, in the First New York Independent Battery, and was dis-
charged June 23, 1865, in Syracuse, N. Y. He was in several
hard-fought battles, among them the battle of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania Court-House, and Cold Harbor, Va. In 1856,
while living in New York, some fallen timber near his house took
fire, and as it was a very dry time, and a strong wind blowing, they
were unable to save the house or contents. His family were
obliged to take refuge in a well near by, in which there was not much
water. They threw their bed-clothes and carpets into the well, but
were obliged to dip water and pour on them, as the fire-brands
were blown in on them. In this way they spent three hours,
twelve feet below the earth's surface. The fire-fiend seems to
have a special spite against him, for in 1866, while living in Cat-
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"910 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
taraugus County, N. Y., he had his storehouse and all his goods
destroyed by fire.
F. D. Evcms was born Feb. 23, 1855, in Alleghany County, N.
Y. He was adopted by A. H. Evans in 1866, and came with him
to Floyd County, la., in 1867. He follows farming as his pro-
fession.
<7. S. FrankUn^ Postmaster, Rockford, was born in Rockford,
Winnebago County, III, Jan. 28, 1843, the youngest of a family of
two sons born of Burton R. Franklin, a native of New York, born
March 3, 1811, andRachel K., nee Bushnell, born July 30, 1810.
His father died March 27, 1861; his mother is still living and re-
sides with her son, the subject of this sketch. His brother, James
Franklin, died Nov. 21, 1874, in this city, aged thirty-four years.
-C. R. resided in Rockford, 111., until thirteen years of age, when
he came with his parents to Rockford, la. He enlisted Sept 21,
1861, in the Dubuque battery, served four years and three months,
and was mustered out at Davenport, la. Among the important
battles in which he participated were those of Flat Creek, Pea
Ridge, Arkansas Post, the bombardment of Fort Pemberton,
Helena, Ark., and was present at the capture of Little Rock. He
returned to Rockford and was appointed Postmaster here on Oct.
15, 1877, by President Grant, and still holds the oflBice. He was
married June 18, 1867, to Clara E. Bailey, who was born near
London, Eng. Seven children have blessed ther union, viz.:
Burton E., bom Oct. 2, 1868; Frederick B., April 18, 1870, died
July 16, 1880; Edmond R., born Jan. 21, 1872; Harriet A., Oct.
21, 1874; Florence B., Oct. 12, 1876; Cora B., Aug. 1, 1878, and
James P., Jan. 23, 1881. Mr. Franklin in his political views is
a pronounced Republican, and in religious faith is a Congrega-
tionalist.
^J. T. OraTum, is a native of Pittsford, Vt., born Feb. 18, 1824.
He grew to manhood in his native city, and at the age of eighteen
engaged in the milling business there. In the spring of 1852 he
went to California via the Isthmus of Panama. He was detained
on the Isthmus one month, and eighty out of 900 passengers that
were on board the vessel with him died of sickness. He arrived
in San Francisco, Cal., July 8, 1852, and owing to the dry weather
could not mine, so he obtained employment in Sacramento in a
corn-mill, the owner giving him full charge and $150 a month.
Through Mr. Graham's instramentality bolting cloths were put
into the mill, and flour was manufactured out of wheat raised in
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BOOEFOBD TOWNSHIP. 911
Oalifomia. Thus he has the honor of making the first flonr made
in that State — it is so recorded in the city of Washington D. 0.^
to-day. After a few months the city of Sacramento was destroyed
by fire and the mill was burned. Mr. Graham then engaged in
mining, being very successfal. He struck a bonanza, taking out
$8,000 in five weeks. He remained in California until 1853^ and
on July 24 of that year he embarked on a steamer for Vermont.
In the fall of 1853 he came to Iowa, locating in Olayton County,
where he bought 400 acres of land and built a saw-mill on the Lit-
tle Turkey River, which he operated four years, and in the mean-
time built a flouring mill for Mr. Q-illmore of that place. He sold
out his interest and came to Marble Rock, FJoyd County, la., and
built a fine flouring mill near there, which he operated one year,
and in the spring of 1861 a terrible flood of water and ice swept his
mill away, leaving him entirely destitute. With that determina-
tion to succeed that had always characterized him, he went at once
to Rockford, and, in company with George Wyatt, built a flouring
mill on Lime Creek, which he ran nine years; then went to Portland,
la., and there built a mill, selling it one year later, and in 1871 he
returned to Rockford and built his present mill. It has five run of
burs, one patent roll, and is one of the most complete mills in the
county. From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Graham has
the honor of having built the first flour-mills in Millville, Clayton
County; Marble Rock and Rockford, Floyd County, and Portland,
Cerro Gordo County, la. On Sept. 16, 1864, Mr. Graham was mar-
ried to Ann S. Strong, a native of Brandon, Vt. Three children
have blessed their union, viz. : Walter S., bom June 18, 1855; Car-
rie A., June 20, 1861, and Frank, Sept. 16, 1863. Mr. Graham
owns 270 acres of fine land, and a beautiful residence, which is a
great contrast to the little cabin to which he bf ought his young
wife in 1854. In politics he is a Republican.
Obco/t «/. Oreen was born in Rensselaer County, N. T., and
became a resident of Floyd County, Iowa, in 1865. He located at
once in Rockford Township, where he followed farming until five
years ago, when failing health compelled him to discontinue the
arduous duties of farm life. He sold his land and moved into the
town of Rockford, where he has resided since. He was married
Nov. 13, 1860, to Adeline Clark, who was born in New York, Oct.
30, 1837. They have one child, a daughter, Grace, born July 29,
1866. Mr. Green's father was bom in the State of New York,
Jan. 24, 1797, and died there Aug. 15, 1870, at the age of seventy-
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^12 HI8T0BY OP FLorD oouiTry.
four years. His mother is a native of Rhode Island, bom in 1799,
and is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Elms, in Floyd County.
In his political views Mr. Green is a Republican. Mrs. Green is
A member of the Congregational church.
W. J. Green was born in the town of Berlin, Berkshire County,
N. Y., May 6, 1815. When fourteen .years of age he left his
native place, and went to Williamstown, Mass., where he worked
in a woolen factory, manufacturing satinet, about four years; then
went to Stephentown, N. T., where he attended school one year, and
at the age of nineteen went to Rowe, Mass. ; worked in a woolen
factory there six months, attended school at Stephentown the fol-
lowing winter, and in 1837 removed to Barry, 111. He returned to
New York eighteen months later, and workedjat his former bust-
ness one year; then purchased an interest in a wool-carding and
cloth-dressing establishment, which was destroyed by fire in 1841.
He rebuilt his factory, and in 1843 sold it and went to Massachu-
setts, where he remained two years, then spent six months in
South Coventry, Conn. Returning to Massachusetts, he purchased
an interest in a cloth factory, selling out in one year. In 1851 he
came West, locating in Janesville, Wis., and in 1854 he settled in
Floyd County. When he came to Iowa he settled on^ the farm
which he now owns, on section township 95. He first entered
160 acres in 1854, and the following spring an eighty adjoining.
They erected a log cabin, in which they lived six years. |His tools
were a common ax, a saw and a hammer. He built this cabin
during the Indian troubles near Clear ]Lake. WhenJ he moved
into his cabin the settlers were camped all about it. While this
was in process of construction he and his family lived in their
wagon three weeks. Such hardships were discouraging, and it was
for such men as Mr. Green to grapple with these difficulties
when many would have given up and returned to civilization. Mr.
Green now has a reward for his zeal and enterprise in the possession
of one of the most beautiful homes in the county. He has bought
twenty acres adjoining the old farm, on which he has built an
elegant residence, and where he is surrounded with every comfort
o{ life. He also owns 160 acres of land on section 16. He was
married in 1841 to Harriet Douglas, whodied leaving one child —
Harriet G. A., born in August, 1842, and married John Reid.
Ill 1845 Mr. Groea marriel Miry Aaa Rynius, iu Muach setts.
Mr. and Mrs. Green are prominent members of the Congregational
•church, in which he is a Deacon. Jin politics he is a Republican.
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BOOKFaBD TOWNSHIP. 913
Benjamin, Oriffin^ one of the representative citizens of Rock-
ford, la., was born in Hampsted, near London, England, May 4,
1814. He was married in London in 1833, to Ann Payne, who
was bom in that city in 1813. Three children blessed this anion —
William, bom in 1834, was killed by a kick in the breast from a
horse ; Margaret, born in 1835, died in 1862, and Sophia, bom in
1848, married Dr. L-win, now of Rockford. They have two sons —
R. P., who is a partner in the dmg store, and William. Mr. Griffin
came with his family to America, landed at New York, and from
there went to Newburg ; stopped one month, thence to Albany,
where he engaged in the batcher business two years, then came
West, locating in Quincy, HI., in 1837. One^year later he removed
to Tolla, Mo., where he embarked in the pork and beef packing
business until 1842, and in that year returned to his native country.
He remained in England ten years, and while there, in 1861,
attended the World's Fair at London. Li 1852 he returned to the
United States, and located near Madison, Wis., where he farmed four
years, and in 1862 came to Floyd County, la. He spent one year
in Oharles Gity, prior to locating in Bockford. Since his residence
here he has engaged in the drug business, and has been fairly sue-
xjessful. He formed a partnership with his son-in-law, Dr. Irwin,
who died, and his son is now the partner. He is thoroughly
versed in pharmacy, and is a skillful and reliable druggist. In his
political views he is a Bepublican, and is a member of the Church
of England.
0. f/. Hanson was bom in Norway, July 16, 1836. When fifteen
years of age he emigrated to America, landed at Quebec, and from
there went to White Water, Wis., where he remained some sixteen
years, working a part of the time in the pineries of Michigan. In
1864 he came to Iowa, spent one year in Bradford, then bought a
farm in Bremer County, upon which he resided six years, then
moved to Clayton County. One year later he sold his farm in the
latter county and removed to Rockford Township, Floyd County.
He has resided in this township, spending a part of the time in
the City of Bockford and the remainder on his farm on section 4.
He also owns land on section 30, his possessions altogether
amounting to 340 acres of excellent land. He was married July
6, 1860, to Jane White, a native of England, born July 25, 1839.
They have seven children — Mary Ann, bom in August, 1861 ;
'Bosa, in December, 1862 ; Yerena, January, 1866 ; £lliott in
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914 raSTOBT OF FIX)TD OOUNTT.
April, 1867 ; Gee, in April, 1878 ; Cora, in January, 1876, and
Olarenco, in February, 1879. In politics, Mr. Hanson is a pro-
nounced Republican.
D. A, Hardman^ one of the pioneer children of Iowa, was
born in Delaware County, la., Deo. 18, 1852, and when a mere
baby was brought by his parents to Floyd County. They settled
in Bock Grore Township, and D. A. was reared and educated in
the common schools of that vicinity; also attended the Osage Sem-
inary two years. On Nov. 11, 1880, he purchaped his present farm
of sixty acres, on section 28, Bockford Township, which he now has
under excellent improvement. He was married March 20, 1880r
to Ella Fleanor, who was born in Bock Grove, March 25, I860-
They have one child — Bay, born July 27, 1882. Mr. Hardman is
a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Bepublican.
His father, David Hardman, was born in Ohio in 1817, and died
in Bock Grove Township, Floyd County, April 17, 1882. His
mother is a native of Indiana, born in 1819. She is still living
on the old homestead.
8. W. Haven^ furniture dealer, and one of the prominent busi-
ness men of Bockford, is a native of Ludlow, Windsor County,
Yt., born March 3, 1826. He was educated in his native State, and
resided there until twenty years of age, when he went to Pennsyl-
vania, and two years later removed to Winnebago County, 111*
He resided there seven years, and in 1855 came to Floyd County,
la. Since 1856 he has been a resident of Bockford Township. He
followed the carpenter's trade chiefly until 1876, when he embarked
in his present business, and has met with flattering success. He
served as Township Clerk for about ten years, and was elected
Justice of the Peace in 1878, and has held the office to the present
time. He was married in 1849, to Sarah Jane Enapp, who was
bom in 1829. Three children have blessed this union, viz. : Ella J.,
born in September, 1850; Emmett M., March 80, 1854, and Laura
O., Jan. 22, 1860. Mr. Haven enlisted Aug. 21, 1862, in the
Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and served until Aug. 8, 1865, when
he was mustered out at Clinton, la. He participated in many of
the hard-fought battles of the war, and though often where shot
and shell fell thickest, escaped unhurt. He is a member of the
regular Baptist church, and in politics is a Bepublican, and a Pro-
hibitionist.
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EOOKFOED TOWNSHIP. 915
Charles Howdl was bom at Chester, Orange County, N. Y., Sept
7, 1857. His father was a physician of considerable reputation, and
a man of excellent character. He married Ruth A. Davis, and to
them five children were born, four girls and one boy, Charles being
the third child. His parents died while he was young. He and
one of his sisters were cared for by an uncle and aunt who resided
on a stock farm, situated eight miles from Newburg, on the New-
burg & Goshen Turnpike. He received a liberal English educa-
tion, and lived with his uncle until his uncle's decease, which
occurred Dec. 13, 1877. The next two years his attention was
turned to farming; but becoming embued with a desire to locate
West, he left his native State May 1, 1880, at the age of twenty-
two, and proceeded to tlie western part of Nebraska, where he
spent several months among the great stock ranches. From
Nebraska he returned to New York, and in passing through Iowa
made a short sojourn in Des Moines, where he became so impressed
with the business inducements Iowa offered young men, that he
remained in his native State but three months, when he returned
to Iowa, Apr. 1, 1881, and engaged in butter- making for A. F.
Bingham at Jesup, Buchanan County. From Jesup he proceeded
to Rockford, Floyd County, and on Jan. 20, 1882, leased E. Price's
creamery and opened the same the following season for the manu-
facture of butter, making a gilt-edged article, which is shipped to
the Eastern markets.
T. 8. fit^Ware? was born in Erie County, N. T., July 7, 1850.
He came to Rockford, la., in 1878, from Ogle County, 111., where he
located in 1866. He rented land the first year of his residence
here, then bought 198 acres on section 3, this township, taking
possession Oct. 1, 1878. He has lived upon this land since, and
it is now one of the finest cultivated farms in this section. He was
married Jan. 9, 1872, to Mary E. Hayes, who was born in Ogle
County, 111., Dec. 23, 1853. Four children have been bom of
eir union, viz.: Arthur (deceased), Eva, Minnie E., and Edna F.
Mr. Hubbard is a Republican in politics and a strong supporter of
that party.
Dwight E. Johnson was born in New Haven, Conn., April 1,
1881. His father died when he was four years old, and he went to
live with his grandfather, who resided on a farm near the city of
New Haven. He remained with him, attending school and assist-
ing on the farm, until 1848, and fron^ that time until 1853 engaged
56
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916 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
in railroading and sailing from New ELaven to the West Indies.
In the fall of the latter year he emigrated to Rockford, 111., where
he spent foar years as clerk in a general store, then retarned to
Oonnecticnt and was married there to Harriet A. Olarke, daughter
of Alfred Olarke, of West Haven, Conn. In March, 1867, Mr.
Johnson settled in Bockford, Iowa, and has since resided here with
the exception of six months spent at Mason City, one of her most
honored and respected citizens. He embarked in the mercantile busi-
ness here in company with Mr. Charles Smith, remaining with him
five years, when R. C. Mathews purchased Mr. Smithes interest and
the business was conducted under the firm name pf Johnson &
Mathews five years. Mr. Johnson then disposed of his stock to B. N.
Mathews, father of his former partner, and since engaged in the
real estate and stock-growing business. He now owns 2,300 acres in
Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties, besides a large interest in the
town property of Rockford. His family consists of three chil-
dren—Frederick C, born Jan,.l, 1858; Wilbert D., Nov.10,1861^
and Alfred N., Oct. 31, 1866. The two former are engaged in
the hardware business in this city and Alfred is attending schooL
Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Episcopal church, and politically
he is a Democrat.
T. S. Kdso was born in Otsego County, N. Y., May 22, 1820,
and was there reared and educated. In 1857 he emigrated to Wis-
consin, locating in Prairie Dn Chien, where he resided fifteen years,
and in 1872 came to Rockford, la. He settled upon a farm in this
township and now owns 400 acres of fine land on sections 6 and
29. He is extensively engaged in farming and makes a specialty of
raising fine stock, owning some of the finest breeds in the county,
including some choice Kentucky thoroughbreds. He was married
in 1842 to Lorana Van Etten, in Dswe^o County, N. T., where
she was born Aug. 19, 1821. Three children have blessed their
union, viz. : Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ogden Ruggles, born Oct. 12,
1844; Gteorgie A., born in October, 1847, married O. E. Miller,
and Emma, born Nov. 7, 1855, married H. L. Mitchell. Mr.
Kelso had a narrow escape from a tornado, which passed over this
region, June 24, 1882. The storm struck the Congregational
church, completely demolishing it, and thus spent its fury before
reaching his dwelling. But it dealt less gently with his barn,
which was completely unroofed and the shingles scattered to the
four winds of heaven. Mr. Kelso is a strong supporter of the
Republican party.
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BOOKFOSD TOWNSHIP. 917
Smith Kimball ie a native of Erie Oounty, N. Y., bom Mar. 10,
1820, and made that place his honoie until 1872, being engaged ex-
tensively in farming, and also conducting a dairy. In 1854 he made
a trip to Illinois, and resided near Ohicago three years, then returned
to New York. In 1872 he came to Iowa, locating in Bockford
Township, where he has remained since, an honored and respected
citizen. He owns eighty acres of land in Ulster Township, besides
his farm of 160 acres on section 36, Bockford Township. He was
married in March, 1851, in his native State to Hannah Parker, who
was born in New York in 1822, and died there on Mar. 18, 1861.
He was married to his present wife, Jane Leigh, on June 17, 1862.
Mr. Kimball is a strong supporter of the Bepublican party.
Jaoch B. Rnapp was bom in Winnebago County, III, Mar. 9,
1840, and lived there until he was sixteen years old when he came
to Bockford, Floyd County, la., and has resided here since. He
served four years and four months in the late Bebellion having en-
listed in the Ninth Iowa Begiment Volunteer Infantry, and also
served in the Third Iowa Battery, as a gunner. He served under
Captains Hayden, Melvin C. Wright and O. H. Lyon. He par-
ticipated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, thirteen in
number, among them Pea Bidc^, Helena, Arkansas Post, Pember-
ton and others. He was mustered out with his comrades at Daven-
port, la., and came home to Bockford, where he was married Sept.
22, 1867, to Cynthia De Wolf, who was bom June 6, 1860. The
firnit of this marriage is three children — Laura, bom Sept. 21, 1868^
died Mar. 28, 1869; Burton, bom Aug. 18, 1878, died Oct 10,
1873, and Owen A., born May 18, 1879. Mr. Knapp owns a finely
cultivated farm of 120 acres on section 38, Bockford Township,
and in politics is a Bepublican .
Charles Leigh^ one of the prominent citizens of Bockford, is a
native of New York State, bom May 21, 1839. From New York
he went to McKeen County, Pa., where he resided five years, en-
gaged in the dmg business, and in June, 1876, came to Bockford,
Floyd County. He has resided here since with the exception of
nine months during the year 1881, which he spent in Pennsylva-
nia. Mr. Leigh has ever been active in any project that promised
progression to his adopted city, and has done much for her im-
provement. In 1876 he erected a large stone house on tlie corner
of what is now known as Leigh's Block, and in 1878 built in the
same block Leigh's Hall, and later, in 1879 a building now occupied
as a drug store, and another now used as a saloon. Besides his
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918 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
citv property he owns 140 acres of fine land in this township. He
was married July 4, 1867, to Florence Davis, who was bom in Penn-
sylvania in 1850. They have one child — Leon, born July 16, 1870.
In his political views he is a Republican, and has served as a mem-
ber of the City CJouncil.
Boiert LmdoUy grain and stock dealer, Kockford, la., was born
in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, May 9, 1840. He emigrated
to the United States in September, 1862, landing at Boston, Mass.,
and from there went at once to New York, thence to Watertown,
Wis. He was married there in 1866 to Miss Addie Vanness, who
was bom in New York State in 1840. Mr. Lindon has been
prominently identified with the grain and stock business of Wis-
consin and Iowa for the past twenty years, and is at present
managing a large grain elevator at Bockford, in company with
D. D. Cutler. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and in
politics is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. Mr. Lin-
don has been a resident of Floyd County for the past ten years.
Elijah Longbotham, was born in the town of Paris, Grant
County, Wis., June 14, 1843. He came to Rockford Town-
ship, Floyd County, la., on May 2, 1877, and settled on his present
feirm of 160 acres, on section 30. He is extensively engaged in grain
and stock raising, and his farm is one of the finest in this vicinity.
On Dec. 25, 1869, he was united in marriage with Celia H. Taylor,
likewise a native of Paris, Wis., born Mar. 11, 1846. Two children
have blessed this union, viz.: Julia A., born Oct. 14, 1870, and
Thomas O., Nov. 7, 1872. Mr. Longbotham was reared in the
Kepublican school of politics and is still a strong adherent to the
principles of that party.
Dcmid McEwen was born in Johnstown, Fulton County, N. Y.,
Aug. 27, 1814, and was there reared and educated. When twenty-
one years of age he went to London, Canada West, and remained
there eleven years, engaged principally in milling. From London
he emigrated to Belvidere, Boone County, 111., thence in 1868 to
Ogle County, that State. Lil873 he located in Marshalltown, la.;
remained there five years, then came to Rockford Township, Floyd
County. He purchased 140 acres on sections 11 and 12 and has
resided there ever since. His farm is under excellent improve,
ment and thoroughly stocked. He was married Nov. 22, 1888, to
Carolina M. Odell, in London, Canada, where she was born, Aug.
12, 1816. Their union has been blessed with the following named
children: John L., born Mar. 10, 1840; Joseph A., July 80, 1842;
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EOCKFORD TOWNSHIP. 919
James E., bom Sept. 10, 1846, died Feb. 3, 1865, and Charles F.,
Aug. IQ, 1851. The family were formerly members of the Presby-
terian chnrcb but are now members of the Methodist. In his
political views Mr. McEwen is a strong Republican.
Maurice McKerma was born in Springfield, Mass., May 31,
1844. His parents were natives of the County of Kerry, Ire-
laud, from which country they emigrated in 1853. In 1833 they
located in Fond du Lac County, Wis. Maurice McKenna studied
law in the oiBce of Messrs. Blair & Colman, and also in the office
of H. F. Rose, at Fond du Lac, Wis. He was elected, on the
Democratic ticket, for three sucessive terms. Clerk of the Courts
of Fond du Lac County, Wis., serving six years in that capacity.
He was also Yice-President of the Star Printing Company, in said
city. In 1876 he was admitted, in the Fourth Judicial District of
the State of Wisconsin, to practice as an attorney at law, and has
practiced his profession since. In 1875 he married Miss Nellie
Fagan. The fruit of the marriage is two children — Minnie and
Nora E. He served in the war of the Rebellion, having been a
member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, going
out with his regiment, serving chiefly in Mississippi and Tennes-
see; and having completed his term of service, was, with his com-
rades, discharged at Milwaukee, Wis., in September, 1864. He
has also published a volume of poems. He. is now a resident of
Rockford, la., being a member of the Floyd County bar, and is
successfully engaged in the practice of the law at that place.
C . F. Meyers^ general merchant, Rockford. embarked in the
produce business at this place in 1872, continuing until 1881, when
he added to that a stock of general merchandise, and by strict atten-
tion to business, and by keeping on hand a full and complete line
of goods to meet the demands of his customers, has succeeded in
building up a fine trade. A native of Louisville, Ky., he was
bom Feb. 22, 1849, and at an early age moved with his parents to
Evansville, Ind., where he was reared and educated. When fif-
teen years old he returned to his native city, and there learned
the jeweler's trade, and four years afterward went to St. Louis,
Mo., where he spent one year, working at his trade; thence to
Henderson, Ky. He clerked in a hardware store at that place
three years, and in 1872 located in Rockford, la., where he has
been actively identified with the business interest since. On Nov.
3, 1876. he was united in marriage with Amanda Baker, a native
of Indiana County, Pa. They have two children — Blanche, born
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920 HISrOST OF floyd oouutt.
March 1, 1878, andO. F., Nov. 3, 1880. Mr. Meyers is a Dem-
ocrat in his political views.
Clark E. Mitchell^ son of H. W. Mitchell, is a native of Illinois,
born in Steplienson County, Jan. 17, 1850. When four years old
he moved with his father to Portage County, Wis., and resided there
eleven years. In 1865 the family settled in Floyd County, la., and
Olark £. has made Bockford Township his home principally since.
In 1877 his father moved to Stephens Point, Wis., where he is now
engaged in the lumber traffic. The subject of this sketch is one of
a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, viz.: Z. T.,
a resident of Rockford, la.; H. L., a farmer in Union Township;
J. S., in btisiness with his father in Wisconsin; Frank H., con-
ducting a large farm at Fargo, D. T.; Mary L., residing in Ran-
dolph, Wis., and Anna, living with her father. Mr. C. E. Mitchell
was married Oct. 6, 1874, to Blanche £. Jackson, who was born
in Beloit, Wis., Apr. 15, 1851. They have two children — Maud,
born Nov. 3, 1876, and Lavantia, Jan. 14, 1880. Mr. Mitchell owns
a fine farm of 640 acres on sections 21 and 22, and is classed with
the prominent agriculturists and stock-breeders of Floyd County.
Politically he is a Democrat.
E. H. Moorsj a prominent farmer and stock-breeder of Floyd
County, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Oct. 28, 1841. He
emigrated with his parents to Erie County, N. Y., in 1842, and
lived there until 1875, when he came West, locating in Ogle County,
111. One year later he came to Floyd County, la., and settled in
Rockford Township. The first year of his residence here he rented
land of S. Kimball, then purchased 159 acres on section 25, where
he still resides. On Oct. 29, 1866, he married Elody A. Cogswell,
who was bom in Erie County, N. T., June 3, 1847. Three chil-
dren have blessed this union — Addie, born Oct. 2, 1867; Jennie E.,
bom Feb. 12, 1872, died Feb. 28, 1874, and Maud, born July 16,
1878. Politically Mr. Moore favors the Republican party.
ITiomas Parsons was born March 1, 1832, in England, and was
reared and educated in his native country. He was married there
Sept 24, 1864, to Hannah Britnell, who died in McGregor, la.,
Oct. 22, 1844. Four children blessed their union, viz.: Clara J.,
born Oct. 14, 1855; Mary A., born Oct. 20, 1857, died Dec. 1,
1867; Mary M., born June 12, 1859, died April 27, 1867, and
Abbie M., born July 14, 1861. Mr. Parsons was married the second
time on May 12, 1865, to Mary Hazlett, who was born in Ireland,
May 13, 1839. They have had eight children— Ella, bora March
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BOOKFORD TOWNSHIP. 921
36, 1866; Jennie, born Aug. 18, 1867, died April 21, 1868; George
A., born March 8, 1869; Effie, Jan. 18, 1871; Lottie, June 2,
1873; Edith M., Aug. 16, 1875; Willie, Oct. 8, 1877, and Fred-
erick Garfield, Oct. 23, 1881. Mr. Parsons emigrated to America
in 1863; landed at New York, spent two weeks in Fulton County,
that State, then emigrated to Sauk County, Wis., where he re-
mained eight years; then to Colambia County, Wis., and from there
to McGregor, la. He lived in that city eleven years, then came
to Floyd County, settling upon his present farm of 192i acres
on section 34, Rockford Township. His land is under excellent
improvement, and thoroughly stocked. In politics he is a pro-
nounced Bepublican.
Ehaer A. liiche was born in Rockford, 111., April 30, 1866, a
«on of John Riche, a native of Franklin County, Ind., bom Oct
27, 1821, and Julia (Wilkins) Riche, who was bom in Addison
County, N. T., Jan. 26, 1828. John Riche lived in his native
State until fifteen years of age, when he went with his father to
Berrien County, Mich., and from there to Winnebago County, 111.,
in 1840. He followed farming there until October, 1879, when he
moved to Rockford Township, Floyd County, la., and settled on
section 81. He owns 2S0 acres of finely cultivated land. Mr. and
Mrs. J. Riche have been blessed with eleven children, viz.: Sarah
H., born Nov. 12, 1849; Ella Maria, born Sept. 4, 1851, was killed
by a pile of lumber falling upon her June 29, 1854; Emma M.,
born May 4, 1855, died May 13 of that year; Elmer A., bom
April 80, 1856; Lyman W., born Feb. 28, 1859, died March 9,
1859; Frank H., born March 8, 1861, died the 21st of that month;
Frincis M., bora July 18, 1864; Mertie R., Aug. 19, 1867; Charles
H., May 22, 1869; Alonzo C, born June 29, 1871, died June 16,
1873; Hattie L., born Oct 7, 1872, died Feb. 8, 1874. Mr. Riche
and wife are prominent members of the M. E. church. The sub-
ject of this memoir was educated in the district schools of
Illinois, where he lived until he came with his father to Iowa, f
in 1879. He was married Aug. 14, 1879, to Marian Patterson, ^^
who was born in Winnebago County, 111., Oct. 21, 1855. They , /
have one child — Alice Julia^^bora.jOct 19^ 1880. They ar©,/>t<^.l' -
members of the M. ETcEurch, and politically he is a strong R^^ /r/..
publican.
O. IT. bobbins is a native of Washtenaw County, Mich., bom
April 9, 1830, and when only one year old he went with his par^
ants to Livingston County, N. Y., where he resided until 1844,
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HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUWTY.
then removed to Rockford, Winnebago Connty, 111. In 1866 he
came to Floyd County, locating in Charles City, where he remained
one year, and in 1856 settled in Rockford Township, where he has
since resided. He engaged in farming and staging from Charles
City, Rudd and other points until the railroad was built through
this place, and since then has carried on the livery business. He
has always been an active politician, and gives his support to the
Republican party, and prior to the organization of that party was
a Whig. He was married in 1864: to Emeline Enapp, who was
born in 1826, and died in 1879, having been the mother of two
children — ^Arthur, bom in 1866, and Louie born in 1864, died in
1871. Mr. Robbins's father, Benjamin, was born in Fredford, Vt. ,
in 1798, and is now living with his son in Rockford, la. He was
a soldier in the war of 1812. There are four generations now liv-
ing at the house of O. N. Robbins, in Rockford. He rode a team
of fifty-two span of horses in 1844, at Geneseo, N. Y., during the
campaign of Henry Clay, when he made a speech at that place.
C. M, Roberts is a native of Canada, born Aug. 20, 1866. He
came to Iowa in 1866, locating in Cedar Falls, where he resided
fourteen years, and in 1880 came to Rockford, Floyd County. He
purchased six town lots near the the B., C. R. & N. R. R. de-
pot where he erected a nice comfortable residence, and is still
residing. He is now employed with Robert Eggert in the erec-
tion of a paper-mill on the Shell Rock River, in South Rockford.
He married Mary Sweetser, who was born in Portland, Me., Aug.
2, 1866. Two children have blessed this union, viz.: — Everard
M., bom Sept. 6, 1878, and Harry E., Aug. 12, 1881. Mr. and
Mrs. Roberts are consistent members of the Methodist church,
and politically he is a Republican. He is a man of sober and in-
dustrious habits, and is much respected in the community in which
he lives.
0. M. RuggUa one of the prominent citizens of Rockford Town,
ship, was born in Broome County, N. T., April 23, 1838. When
sixteen years of age he left his native State and went to Fond du
Lac, Wis., where he resided eight years, attending school. He went
to Minnesota where he read and practiced law two years, and in
1864 enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and
served until the close of the war, engaging in many a hard-fought
battle. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea,
and was at the battle of Whippie Swamp, at the taking of Colum-
bia, S. C, and at Raleigh, N. C, when peace was declared. After
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BOOKFOED TOWNSHIP. 92
the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin, and tanght school
at Prairie du Chien four years. He was married in 1867 to
Elizabeth Kelso, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., bom Oct. 7,
1843. The fruit of this marriage is six children — Almira, bom
Aug. 30, 1868; Cora, June 24, 1870; Grace, Feb. 7, 1872; Robert
G., March 19, 1875; Helen, Nov. 11, 1878, and Wallace S., March
1, 1882. Mr. Buggies owns a finely cultivated farm on sections
6, 7 and 8, Rockford Township, consisting of 215 acres. He is a
Democrat in his political views, and has held the office of Town-
ship Trustee. He is a member of the Congregational church at
Prairie du Chien.
Augustus Schroeder was born in the province of Mecklinburg-
Schwerin, Germany, Aug. 28, 1845. He was reared and educated
there, and on Sept. 27, 1869, embarked for America. He landed
at the city of New York, and from there went to Beloit, Wis.,
which was his home for ten years. He then removed to St. Louis,
Mo., resided there four months ; thence to Butler County, Iowa, in
1879. In 1881 he located in Rockford, Iowa, where he has resided
since, an honored and respected citizen. Mr. Schroeder has followed
the wagon-maker's trade for the past nineteen years. He was
married in his native country to Johannah Brandt, Aug. 3, 1868.
She was born in Germany, May 1, 1844. Five children have blessed
this union, viz.: Alfred F., born Nov. 17, 1869; Emma, July 21,
1872; Edward, Sept. 5, 1874; Louisa, Sept. 27, 1876; and Otto,
Aug. 10, 1880. Mr. Schroeder is a member of the Lutheran church,
and in politics is a strong supporter of the Republican party.
H. 0. Scott J dealer in agricultural implements, Rockford, la.,
was bom in Richland County, 0., June 23, 1827. When eight
years of age he went with his father to Michigan, resided there two
years, thence to Rockford, 111., in 1838, traveling with ox teams
all the way. He engaged in farming in Illinois until October,
1875, when he came to Floyd County, locating in Charles City.
In March, 1876, he settled in Rockford Township, purchasing 200
acres of fine land on section 33, which he farmed one year; then
sold, and moved into the city of Rockford, in order to facilitate
the educational advantages of his children. He built a nice resi-
dence here, where he has for the past six years dealt in agricult-
ural implements. He was married on Dec. 23, 1860, to Mary C.
Mujfitt, a native of New York, bom in 1833. Seven children
have been bom unto them — Horace T., Sophronia, William H.,
Hattie E., C. A., Estella and Jessie. Mr. Scott is a prominent
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•924 HI8T0BY OF FLOTD OOmTTT.
member of the I. O. O. F. and A. F. & A. M. fraternities of
Bockford, and is at present serving in the City Council. Politi-
cally he is a Republican.
L. A. 8coUy one of the prominent citizens of Eockford Town-
ship, was bom in Erie County, N. T., Aug. 1), 1832. He resided
there until 1853, and in that year emigrated to Columbia County,
that State, where he remained thirteen years, then came to Sock-
ford, la., and has resided here since. Upon coming to this city
he erected a large stone storehouse, 40 x 23 feet, on Piatt street,
which he subsequently sold to Isaac Hall. He also built the first and
only slaughter house in Rockford. In the year 1871 he embarked
in the butcher business and also conducted a grocery store and
saloon a short time. He engaged in the hardware business one
year, and for the past three years has packed butter for various
firms in Rockford. He was married in 1879 to Minnie Graves.
Politically he favors the Republican party.
Oren B. Shaw^ one of the prominent farmers of Rockford Town-
ship, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., born in the town of
Marsey on March 13, 1831. He lived there until 1853 when he
moved to Lak eCounty, 111., thence in 1864 to Floyd County, la.
He settled on section 30, Rockford Township, where he owns a
finely improved farm of 173 acres. He was married to Sarah J.
Maynard on Sept. 20, 1860. She was born in Cheshire County,
N. H., Feb. 11, 1836. They have one child — Jessie Augusta, born
Oct. 4, 1866. The family are members of the M. E. church. In
politics Mr. Shaw is a Republican, and has held many of the
township offices, among them those of Justice of the Peace and
School Director, and in each instance has served with credit to him-
self and the satisfaction of his constituents.
Albert ColUnSy Deputy Postmaster, Rockford, la., was born in
Otsego County, N .Y., Dec. 21, 1843. When twelve years of age he
came West with his parents, locating in Madison, Wis.; thence, in
1856, to Lake County, 111. They resided there until the fall of 1868,
then removed to Floyd County, la., settling in Rockford Township,
where the father died in December, 1879. His mother is still a
resident of Floyd County. Mr. Albert Collins enlisted June 7,
1864, in Company F, Thirty-eighth Regiment Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, and served one year. He was wounded at Peters-
burg, Va., on picket line, Jan. 3, 1865, losing his left arm. He
was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C, April 17, 1865.
He returned to Illinois, then his home, and resided there until 1868,
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BOGKFOBD TOWNSHIP. • 925
then became a resident of Bockford, la* He has been acting Dep-
uty Postmaster most of the time since. He was married at Shell
Eock, la., Sept 12, 1872, to Ellen L. Palmer, a native of Oastleton,
Vt., born May 7, 1862. In politics Mr. Oollins is a strong sup-
porter of the Republican party.
T. P, Sutton was born in Cattaraugus County, N. T., Nov. 19,
1840. His father died when he was ten years old, and the follow-
ing year he moved with his mother to Dodge County, Wis. He
was the fourth child of a family of six children. They resided in
Dodge County three years, then removed to Jackson County, and
in 1870 he came to Floyd County, la., where he had previously
purchased the south half of section 32, Bockford Township. He *
now owns 480 acres of finely cultivated land, and is recognized as
one of Floyd County's most prominent farmers and stock-growers.
He was married July 27, 1866, to C. J. Wright, who was bom in
Portland, Me., May 4, 1846. He is a Republican in his political
views.
Charlea Wathina was bom in St. Lawrence County, N. T., Oct.
29, 1826. At the age of eight years he left his native State, and
with his father emigrated to Ohio, where he lived until 1849, then
came with a younger brother to Iowa, locating in Clayton County.
He engaged in farming in Farmersburg Township, and also taught
school, an occupation he had previously followed in Ohio. His
brother, James Watkins, still resides in Clayton County. In 1869
he settled in Rookford Township, Floyd County, where he has been
extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising since, and has also
taught two winter terms of school. He was married in 1852 in
Ohio to Delia Stephens, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1830.
Nine children have been born of this union, three sons and six
daughters, viz.: Ermina, born in 1858 (married Judson Quacken-
bush); Charlie, in 1856; George D., in 1858; Jared, in 1859; Han*
nah, in 1862; Delia, in 1865; Blanche, in 1867; Grace, in 1870,
and Mabel, in 1872. Mr. Watkins's parents came with him to Clay-
ton County in 1852, where his father died in 1867. His mother re-
sides in Monona, la. In his politics he is a Democrat
JoJm W. Wood WHS born in Canada, June 19, 1885, and came to
Illinois with his parents in 1842, and to Jones County, la., in 185*4.
John "W*. resided there two years, then returned to Illinois, and in
1868 returned to Iowa, locating near Budd, Floyd County. He
remained there imtil 1879, when he settled on section 18, Sock-
ford Township, where he purchased an excellent farm and has re-
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926 msTOBT OF floyd county.
sided since. He owns 240 kcres of fine land, well improved. He
married Hannah Tittle, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born
April 6, 1836. Their union has been blessed with eleven children,
allliving — ^Israel L., David S., Delbert A., Frank TJ., Homer "Wes-
ley, Lydia Alice, Daniel Jackson, Lottie Belle, Hester Ann, Guy
H. and Francis Roy. Mr. Wood is the present Road Master in Dis-
trict No. 9, and politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of
the Close Communion Baptist church.
S, W. Woodhouse was born in Kenosha County, Wis., Jan. 11,
1856, and lived there until 1872, when he came to Rockford Town-
ship, Floyd County, la. His father died when he was eleven years
old. EUs early education was limited, bein^ received at a common dis-
trict school in Kenosha County, Wis. He was Cashier of A. L.
Flummer's bank about three years; read law in Rockford and
passed his examination before Hon. R. G. Reiniger, of Charles
City, and was admitted to the bar Sept. 20, 1880 ; since that time
he has been practicing law in Rockford. He was married Oct.
80, 1878, to Flora E. Campbell, a native of Eldon, Victoria County,
Canada West, born Oct. 26, 1865, of Scotch parentage. She was
left an orphan when seven years old, and was taken and educated
by he^ grandparents. She came to Iowa in 1877, and at the time
of her marriage was engaged in teaching school. They have one
child — James Stewart, born Nov. 17, 1879. Politically Mr. Wood-
house is a Republican.
Ambrose 8. Wright was born in New York, Aug. 17, 1837. He
came to Hlinois in the spring of 1856, and to Floyd County, la., in
the spring of 1862. He settled first on section 30, Rockford Town-
ship, and resided there until 1873, when he went to Nora Springs.
Eighteen months later he settled upon his present farm on section
30, Rockford Township. He owns 480 acres of finely cultivated
land and is classed with the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of
Floyd County. He was married March 7, 1866, to Elizabeth Cook,
a native of Oswego County, N. Y., born Dec. 10, 1836. They have
one child, a daughter — ^Edith, born May 14, 1872. Mr. Wright
has held the office of School Director for the past five years, and po-
litically is astrong Republican. He is a prominent member of the
Baptist church and is Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. H s
father, Spencer Wright, was born in Massachusetts in 1805, and
in 1862 emigrated to Floyd County, la., where he died Aug.
9, 1866. He was a man of sterling Christian integrity, and although
he had been a resident of the county for only a short time his loss
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BOCKFOBD TOWNSHIP. 927
was deeply felt by the community. His widow married Wm.
Wagner in 1870, and is a resident of Rock Grove Township.
George Wyatt was born in Danville, Livingston County, N. Y.,
April 1, 1815. He resided there until 1836, when he came West,
locating in Michigan, where he engaged in clerking nine months ;
then went to Fort Defiance, O., and took charge of a stock of goods
for Ellis ife Co. one year, and in 1838 removed to McHenry
County, 111. He was there pioneering until 1841, then went to
Fort Winnebago, Wis., where he farmed some time, then took a
contract to supply the fort with wood and hay for eight months.
He was subsequently hired by the American Fur Company to take
care of the trading post there, and acted in that capacity eighteen
months. In 1844 he was instrumental in organizing Portage
County, Wis., for judicial pui'poses, and was appointed Clerk of
the District Court by the District Judge, and by the people was
elected Kegister of Deeds and Clerk of the Commissioners' Court.
He also held the offices of Postmaster and Notary Public. From
1844 to 1847 he engaged in the lumber traffic with Ed Houghton,
and in the latter year sold out and returned to Winnebago County,
111., where he farmed until 1849, then went to Rockford, 111. He
was employed on the police force there until 1852, and also served
as City Collector and Assessor. In August, 1852, he went to Cali-
fornia, where he remained fifteen months, then returned to Beloit,
Wis., and in 1854 he settled in Floyd County, la., and in company
with Milo Gilbert erected a double log cabin on the site of the
present town of Charles City. The two families spent the winter
there, and in the spring of 1855 Mr. Wyatt went into the land-
office business, which he followed two years, and during that time
selected the swamp land of the county unde^ a commission from
the judge, and in the spring of 1856 he selected a site and laid out
the present town of Rockford, giving it its name. Mr. Wyatt
continued in the land-office business until 1858, when he became
afflicted with rheumatism, and still suffers from that disease. In
1863 he opened the Wyatt House in Rockford, of which he is still
proprietor. He was married in October, 1858, in Rockford, III.,
to Mercy Smith,] who was bom in Livingston County, N. Y., in
1824. They have seven children, five living — Emma (now Mrs.
L. B. Dumbolton), born in 1852 ; Carrie, in 1858 (married LeRoy
Berton); Charles, bom in 1854 ; William W., in 1859, and Henry,
in 1865. Mr. Wyatt and wife are prominent and respected mem-
bers of the Congregational church, and in politics he is a
Republican.
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928 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Alexander To\mg^ one of the prominent citizens of Bockford
Township, was bom in the County of Down, Ireland, Nov. 30,
1854. In 1871 he left his native country for America, landed at
New York City, and from there came direct to Rochelle, 111.,
where he resided until February, 1882, when he came to Floyd
County, la., locating in Eockford Township. He bought eighty
acres of land on section 13, which he has under good cultivation
and well stocked. He was married Dec. 22, 1876, to Mary J.
Albee, in Eockford, HI. She is a native of the town of Red Jacket,
N. Y., born Nov. 14, 1853. They have one child— William How-
ard, bom May 6, 1879. Mrs. Young is a member of the M. E.
church, and is an estimable Christian woman. In his political
views he is a strong Eepublican.
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Bock Grore Township derived its name from a ponderous boulder
now in the public park, in the city of Nora Springs. This town-
ship is the northwestern one of Floyd County. It is bounded on
the north by Union Township, in Mitchell County, on the 'east by
the Township of Rudd, on the south by the Township of Rockford,
and on the west by the Township of Portland, in Cerro Gordo
County. It is seven miles long from north to south, and the north
half is six miles wide, from east to west. From the east side of
the south halt jbl strip one hali a mile in width was in 1870 shorn
from her territory and attached to the Township of Rudd. This
township was originally surveyed in 1863 and 1854, into sections
and subdivisions of sections, by Alexander Anderson, who now
lives in the county of Dubuque, and who was at that time a sur-
veyor in the employment of the Government of the United States.
Anderson was a very active and agreeable gentleman, and one
whose work when done was finished. There are still a great many
sectional mounds to be seen, that were thrown up with Anderson's
spades, and a few corner stakes have escaped the prairie fires and
the decay of time, but nearly all have passed away, and those of a
more enduring character have been planted in their places.
There are about seven sections of good timber in Rock Grove
Township with large quantities of younger groves springing up on
the outskirts of that of older growths. The largest body of this
timber is on the Shell Rock River, which runs three miles in the
township. Other beautiful groves of timber are to be found on
Floyd Creek, which threads the entire township from north to south.
There are four excellent water-powers on the Shell Rock River,
in Rock Grove Township, two of which are now well improved.
BESOUBOBS.
A township superior to Rock Grove would be hard to find. It
has a rich deep soil under laid with a sub-soil of clay, and from
this clay a superior quality of brick has been made for years —
specimens of which can be seen pointing their red fingers through
the roofs of numerous dwellings for a region of twenty miles
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980 HI8T0BY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
around. No superior quarries of stone have been found within the
boundary lines of Kock Grove Township. Occasionally a desirable
layer of sandstone protrudes from the high bluffs that skirt the
river, but they are so deeply imbedded beneath an immense mass
of shale, and worthless weight, as to forbid the expense which
would be incurred in reaching down after them. A fair quality of
stone, irregular in layers and form, is found in abundance lining
the entire banks and beds of the streams, and which answer well
the ordinary purpose for which stone was intended, not the least
of which is the production of a very superior quality of lime.
SBTTLEMENT.
Bock Grove Township, like the entire county, was originally
settled with a hardy race of industrious and intelligent pioneers,
who were either direct from the New England States, or had drifted
along from one State to another, on or near the same parallel of
latitude, until they reached the Shell Rock Valley. A few families
came here from the Middle and Southern States, but the terrible
winters of 1856 and 1857 convinced them tliat this was no place
for tender plants, — or planters, — ^and their song was soon changed
from "From Greenland's Icy Mountains," to " Carry me back to
Old Virginia." Those who came here at first were generally poor,
and these were divided into five classes: 1. That class who had
always been poor and had been kept under by the aristocrats of
the older States, but who had broken loose from their semi-servitade
and come West determined to have homes that they could call their
own. 2. That class who had once been well off, bat by specula-
tion, misplaced confidence, or unavoidable casualties had lost all,
and who had come West determined to rally again — and again re-
trieve their lost fortunes. 3. That class that never had but little,
and did not know what to do with what little they had, and who
never did, and never can, stand civilization, always ready to sell
for a small consideration, and move on with the bears and buffaloes
toward the decoy fields nearer the setting sun. 4. That class
who always thought they were getting rich because they were
getting an advanced price over the original cost, and at the same
time were selling their property for less than one half its real
value. 5. That class of dreaming adventurers who would want
to move on, and change locations, even were they in the Kingdom
of Heaven.
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BOOK GBOVB TOWNSHIP. 931
The first white man who ever made a claim to the fertile acres
of Kock Grove Township was William D. Gray, who in August,
1852) with his gun on his shoulder, leisurely walked around the
beautiful place now owned and occupied by E. K. Heiz, and, when
he had finished his journey, to himself he said: '*0n the south-
west quarter of section 16, in township 96 north, of range 18 west,
will I build my cabin and the 'bloody Injuns' shall not prevail
against me."
On the heels of Gray came Dan Whitesell, who selected the
claim where he now resides. In 1868 he broke the first acre of
ground ever broken in Bock Grove Township. He turned over
sixteen acres on section 19, to the sweet kisses of the sun, and
planted them with the first corn ever planted in the township.
This is not the Daniel who went into the lion's den, but it is the
Daniel who entered the den of wolves and bears, who chased the
bufialoes and deer into their jungles, and the Daniel who tamed the
Sioux and Winnebagoes.
Anthony Overacker came to Rock Grove in 1852, and made
claim to 160 acres of prairie land, and about the same quantity of
timber, right in the center of the grove. In 1854 he divided his
claim and sold it in equal parts to William Workman and Edson
Gaylord. He sold for a mere song. An acre might be selected on
either place that would today sell for more money than he got for
the whole plantation. The property he sold here is worth to-day
$20,000. But he wanted to *'go West," and West he went, away
out in the then wilds of Wright County, in this State, taking with
him the first white baby that was ever bom in Bock Grove Town-
ship. Anthony was a good-natured, honest, fat, lazy fellow, with-
out any politics or much religion.
Bev. John Knouse came here from Ohio^^er^l^^ J^^r o^ 1863,
and made his choice on sections 13 and 14. ^niinat^^^ ^^ ^ peculiar
and remarkable man. He was built "from tb^ground up," like
a lion, and as active as a cat. He alternately farmed and preached.
For many years he was about the only preacher in this section of
the country. His church was the log school-house, since burned
down, near the residence of Edson Gtiylord. His pulpit was a
dry-goods box, and the pews were puncheons, split and hewed
from the native forest trees. His congregation was everybody.
When the time for service came Knouse was always on hand, and
his old gray was hitched to the tree by the school-house. He
67
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932 HierroBT of flotd oounty.
made no pretensions to oratory, and yet he was a natural orator,
and, when he felt just right, would preach a sermon and make a
prayer that would start the shingles right off the roof of the old
school-house. His daughter Sarah, a fine girl about twenty years
i6{ age, died in 1854, and filled the second grave ever made in the
township. About eighteen years since, Knouse sold his fine farm
for a moderate price to Michael Foothman, and went to Floyd. He
remained there nearly two years and moved with his family to
£ansas. In the summer of 1874 the grasshoppers in Kansas
served a notice on him to leave, and he returned to visit his friends
on the ''old stamping grounds.'' He was in politics a Bepublican,
and religiously he was a member of the United Brethren church.
Joseph Henry came from Michigan to Rock Grove in 1853, and
made his selection on sections 8, 16 and 17. He was a hard-working
man, but had a roving disposition. In 1859 he sold eighty acres
of his fine farm to Titus Wray, and the balance to Joseph Slater, of
New Jersey, it being the same place now in part occupied by J. 0.
£napp. The Kansas fever swept him off, and away he went. From
Kansas he went to Oregon, from Oregon to Delta Touchet, in Wash-
ington Territory, where he resided when last heard from with a
broken-down constitution, and but little he can call his own. His
history is one which should be read by all who contemplate leaving
Iowa to find a better home. In politics he was a Republican.
Abram G. ShroU came to Rock Grove Township with his family
in 1854, in company with J. H. Knouse, from Ohio. ShroU made
a spendid claim on Flood Creek, on sections 11 and 14. He was a
clever, honest German, but did not possess the tact for coining
money. From time to time he sold a forty, or a timber tract, from
his large claim, until his plantation had dwindled down to less
than a quarter seo^fte^ai, when he sold the remainder to William G.
Robinson and Sjyhat ^ Bragg, and moved to Dakota. In politics
he was a Democc<udM^
John Gates cani^Rre in 1855, and formerly had that part of the
farm of John R. 'Adams that lies nearest Nora Springs. He did
not remain here more than one year before he sold his premises to
Adams and moved to Union Township, near Marble Rock, where
he now resides, the monarch of a large and well-improved farm. In
politics he was a Republican.
William Dean, a native of Maine, came in the spring of 1853,
and located 160 acres prairie and some timber on section 14. He
sold this farm out in 1872, at $35 an acre, and now lives a mile west
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BOOK GBOVE TOWNSHIP. 9SS
of bis original farm. la the same year came William Wagner,
settling at Rock Grove City; Edeon Gaylord, who now lives a short
distance below Nora Springs, between the railroad and the Shell
Eock, and David Hardman, who lives on section 21.
NAME.
The name of Rock Grove Township is said to have the following
origin: Speculators traveling through this region in an early day
gave the name Rock Grove to the timber tract around the present
Nora Springs, on account of the curious large boulder in its center,
and which can now be seen in the street on the south side of the
park. The township derived its name from the grove.
DBAINAQB.
Rock Grove Township is drained by Shell Rock River and Flood
Creek. The Shell Rock enters on section 7, and flowing through
the southwestern part, emerges on section 20. Flood Creek flows
diagonally through the township, entering onJsection^lO^and leav-
ing on section 18. Other small streams intersect^the country and
are tributary to these two water-courses.
FIRST THINGS.
Tlie first birth in the township was that of a son to] Anthony
Overacker, in 1862.
The first marriage was that of John JHenry and a daughter of
Wm. Workman.
The first death was that of Josephine, a young daughter of Ben-
jamin Read, in 1854, at the age of fourteen.
The first religious services in the township were held by Revs.
Holbrook, Cooley and other pioneer preachers of the church, in
various private houses. The other denominations now having
societies at Nora Springs — the Congregationalists, the Baptists,
the Christians, the German M. £. and the German Evangelicals —
early gained a foothold in the township outside of the village. The
United Brethren and the Dunkards also have a few adherents, but
there are no church buildings or organizations outside of Nora
Springs in Rock Grove.
The first school-house was of logs, and was built on section 7,
about one-half mile from Nora Springs, in the fall of 1854. Edson
Gaylord assisted in the building of this house, and now has at his
residence, as a relic, a stump from which the first log was eut.
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934 HISTOEY OF FLOTD OOUNTT.
This was the first school-house in Floyd County, as well as in
Rock Grove Township. The first school was ^taught the following
winter by Sarah GriflSth. She was a very good teacher, and pupils
came from all parts of the township to her school, which numbered
about twenty. This first school-house was not built by regular
taxations, but by private subscription. It was accidentally burned
the spring after it was built, and a new house was built about
eighty rods west of the first one. The first school taught in this
building was taken charge of by Richard Armstrong, formerly
from New York, and latterly from Muscatine.
The first store in the township was opened at Rock Grove City
by F. L. Benedict. It was kept by him two years, beginning in
1856, and then discontinued.
Among the manufacturing interests, we note that Edson Gay-
lord burned the first lime in the county, in 1854-'5, and started
his brickyard in 1860. Since then he has burned the timber from
forty acres of land, in making brick. He has made sonys seasons
as many as 200,000 brick, which he has shipped in various direc-
tions. Some have gone to Dakota. The two flouring mills, at
Rock Grove City and Nora Springs are ipentioned on anotheir
page. The soap factory east of the depot at Nora Springs was
started in 1879 by J. S. Bryant & Co., and discontinued in the
fall of 1881.
The first fruit-trees brought to the county were set out on the
farm now belonging to Edson Gaylord.
The first Township Trustees were William Wagner and John
Cannouse. The first Clerk was John Hunt, afterward Judge Hunt
The first Justice of the Peace was William Dean. The first School
Director was Edson Gaylord.
BBIDOES.
The first bridge across the Shell Rock in Rock Grove Township
was built by the county in 1863. The bridge was wanted by both
Nora Springs and Rock Grove City, and considerable feeling was
manifested on both sides. Petitions and remonstrances were cir-
culated, signed and presented to the County Board of Supervisors,
who finally appointed a committee of three to decide the contro-
versy. This committee met at Nora Springs, heard the arguments
on both sides, and finally decided that the bridge should be located
at Nora Springs. This was accordingly done, and a wooden struct-
are was put up at a cost of $2,500. This was located by the mill,
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 936
some distiiice ab^ve the presint bridge. In 1870 this wa^ taken
doyn, and the present iron bridge put up, fft a cost of $6,000.
Another iron bridge on Flood Creek, near the residence of Dr.
W. Shaw, was completed in 1876.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first records seem to have been lost, the first election that
we find a record of being in 1873, when the township officers were
as follows: Clerk, Samuel Means; Trustees, L. D. Sweet, 0. M.
Allen, Nicholas Fleenor.
The present officers are: Clerk, Leroy A. Snow; Chairman
Board of Trustees, Charles Darling; Trustees, Charles Darling,
Henry L. Benedict and Edson Gaylord; Assessor, M. H. Nicker-
son; Justices of the Peace, A. B. Tredway, H. L. Benedict and
L. H. Peilm.
ROCK GROVE MILL.
This mill was erected by J. A. Lathrop in 1867 and 1863. It
is situated on the Shell Rock River, and is run by water-power.
It has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day, and makes the best
grades of flour by the newest processes. It has now five run of
stones, but began with two. It is doing a good business, both at
custom and merchant work. Mr. Lathrop is the present pro-
prietor and manager.
NORA SPRINGS.
The first settlement made on the town site was by one Wiltfong,
who came about 1853, and built a cabin on the site of the present
mill. He sold his claim the following year to Sheldon Fox, of
Lowell, Dodge County, Wis. He remained nine months, and
then went to Cedar Falls, where he still resides. M. S. Snow
caine here from Jones County in the spring of 1855, with his wife
and one daughter, now Mrs. Nancy E. Brundage. He moved
into Fox's house. In 1856 cameCTH. Alien, now dead, and John
West, now of Mason City. They hailed from Illinois, and came
to build a mill dam. They were accompanied by Sylvester Mea-
cham and Amos Pardee. The mill itself had been built as early
as 1854, by Messrs, Fox & Griffith. In 1857 came Frederick
Drew, a blacksmith, who still resides in Nora Springs.
Nora Springs was surveyed and platted in 1857, by John West,
C. M. Allen and Edson Gaylord. An addition was made by E. P.
Greeley, from N'ashua, Before the plat was recorded. They first
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936 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
named the place Woodstock, from Woodstock, 111.; but one of the
surveyors liked the name Nora, as this was the name of a lady-
love of his, according to rumor; and " when the girl afterward
went back on him, he went back on the town," and took up his
abode in a neighboring county. Allen and West agreed to accept
Nora Springs as the name of the future town. The springs from
which the name was suggested lie principally north of the village,
though there is one large one, used by the railroad, south of the
village.
FIBST THINGS.
The first house in Nora Springs was one built by Wiltfong, in
1853.
The first frame house was built by John West, in the fall of
1856.
The first school-house was built on section 7, a short distance
east of the village, in the fall of 1864-'5. An account of this is
given in the first part of this chapter. The present school-house
was built in 1870.
The first store in Nora Springs was kept by E. P. Greeley, in
1857. Goods had been sold, however, previously, by John West.
After about a year Mr. Greeley moved away. The next store was
that of Tyler Blake, opened in 1869.
In the new town, the first store was that of Orlando McCraney,
and was situated opposite the present store of Leroy Snow, Mr.
McCraney kept it about two years, and then sold to H. F. David-
son.
The first blacksmith, Frederick Drew, came in 1857.
The first wagon-maker, F. H. Snow, came in 1857.
The first shoemaker, Calvin Snow, came in 1857.
The first hotel was the Wallace House, kept by Pratt Wallace,
and opened in 1869.
THE REVIVAL.
Nora Springs grew very slowly for many years, but in 1869 it
awakened from its Rip Van Winkle sleep, and suddenly sprang
into a new and vigorous life. The Milwaukee A St. Paul Railroad
came plowing its way through, and a marvelous revolution fol'
lowed in its wake. New additions were made to the town,
stretching southward toward the railroad, and the forest trees
that for ages had withstood the winds and the storm fell before
the ax and spade, and the sugar bush and hunting ground of
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ROCK GBOVE TOWNSHIP. 937
poor '' Lol" was transformed into a thrifty town of 700 inhabitants.
No sooner had the first wave of excitement passed on than
another important railroad was built, reaching with one hand into
the lumber regions of the North, and grasping with the other the
coal and fruit fields of the sunny South, chaining together, with
an iron band, the great cities of St. Louis and St. Paul. The
future of Nora Springs was then determined, and the early settlers
who had lived here for nearly twenty years without having seen
the smoke of the engine, felt like an ancient king, who, over-
whelmed with his great achievements, cried out, ''O Lord, in the
midst of all this prosperity, send us some misery."
INOOBPOBATION.
Nora Springs was incorporated in the summer of 1874, and the
council held its first meeting Aug. 31, of that year. As an item
of interest the proceedings of the first meeting are given:
"Council met and organized, with the Mayor in the chair.
Present: Kecorder Burgess, Trustees Snow, Blake, Hubbard, Stew-
art and Gardner, who were sworn into their respective offices.
**0n motion of Trustee Hubbard, J. 0. Bnrlingham was elected
Marshal by the following vote: Ayes, Snow, Blake, Hubbard,
Stewart, Gardner and Burgess — six.
"An ordinance relating to the duties of marshal was read and
adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Snow, Blake, Hubbard,
Stewart, Gardner and Burgess — six.
**0n motion, George W. Stannard was unanimously elected
Treasurer.
'*By a unanimous vote, a motion of Trustee Snow was carried,
that the rule requiring ordinances to be read three times before
passage be suspended for this evening.
"Ordinances concerning misdemeanors, unlawful assemblies,
etc., were then read and adopted.
"On motion of Trustee Hubbard, the marshal's bond was
placed at $300.
"An ordinance pertaining to licensing saloons, billiard tables,
etc., was read and adopted.
"On motion, Council adjourned until Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1875,
at 8 p. M.
"A. W. BuBGBss, Recorder?^
At the next meeting, held Aug. 10, ordinances were adopted
relating to shows, etc.; to cattle running at large; to hogs running
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988 HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
at large; and to horses, mules, etc. Daring the months of August
and September a complete code of ordinances was adopted, and
the Governmental machinery of Nora Springs was in running
order.
At first there were five trustees, elected every year; but in 1878
the new law went into effect which provided for the election of
two trustees each year, to hold office for three years, thus making
six trustees in the council. The five trustees at that time drew
lots for length of service, and A. W. Burgess and A. J. Brundage
were chosen for one year; A. McG. Stewart and F. B. Hamish
were chosen for two years, and M. 8. Snow was chosen for three
years.
At an election held in 1876 the officers were as follows: Mayor,
Horace Gage; Recorder, A. W. Burgess; Trastees, M. S. Snow^
Tyler Blake, F. M. Hubbard, A. McGregor Stewart and G. H.
Gardner; Marshal, J. 0. Burlingame; Attorney, P. W. Burr;
Treasurer, G. W. Stannard. The present officers are: Mayor, Hor-
ace Gage; Recorder, L. A. Snow; Trustees, P. Warburton, M. S.
Snow, W. S. Haight, A. W. Burgess, A. J. Brundage and A. A.
Sullivan; Marshal, Edson Gaylord; Treasurer, D. A. Wheeler;
Assessor, D. A. Wheeler; Attorney, J. F. Gates; Street Commis-
sioner, Edson Gaylord.
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The Independent School District of Nora Springs was organized
in 1878, with the following officers: President, Horace Gage; Sec-
retary, H. B. Shaw; Board, Horace Gage, J. Kidney, Edson Gaylord,
A. B. Tredway, John Hollenbeck and W. D. Manchester. The
principals of the school since then have been G. W. Schafer, of
Shell Rock, M. H. Grain and A. J. Stevens. The present officers
are as follows: President, 0. C. Bimey; Secretary, O. B. Allen;
Board, C. 0. Birney, D. A. Wheeler, A. W. Burgess, Horace Gage
and Edson Gaylord.
NOBA SPBINGS GBEAMBBY.
The Nora Springs Creamery was started Oct. 1, 1880, by K. J.
Jake way. It was soon after taken charge of by the present man-
ager, J. F. Coehonour. Horse-power is used. Only cream is
used, two wagons being run to gather the cream. The establish-
ment has made as much as 626 pounds of butter in one day. Dur-
ing July, 1882, it made 10,000 pounds.
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BOOK GROVE l^WNSHIP.
KOBA 8PBINQS FOUNDBY.
The Nora Springs Foundry and Machine Shop was built origi-
nally for a saw-mill, at about the same time that the present Iowa
& Dakota Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul
Railroad was built through Nora Springs. Mr. J. A. Lathrop
bought a half interest in 1881 of George Briggs. The latter died
in June, 1882. Mr. Lathrop has rented Briggs's interest, and now
operates it in his own name. He makes all sorts of castings for
mill-repairs, machinery, horse-powers, anvils, farm boilers, jack-
screws, well-drills, sleigh-knees, etc. He uses the latest improved
machinery in his works.
BANK.
Tlie exchange bank of A. B. Tredway was established in 1877,
by Farwell & Co., from Eau Claire, Wis. These gentlemen sold
out in 1878, to Horace Gage, and he sold, in turn, to A. B. Tred-
way, in 1879. The bank is prosperous and growing, and has
ample capital. The Cashier is J. M. Tredway.
ELEVATOB.
This was built by A. B. Tredway in 1876, and was by him oper-
ated until 1877, when it burned down, owing to a defective smoke-
stack. It was 30x50, and cost $5,000. Mr. Tredway at once
rebuilt it, at an expense of $7,000. It is now 24 x 32, and has a
capacity of 15,000 bushels. It has a steam-boiler and engine of
fifteen horse-power. It is one of the finest elevators in the North-
west. Mr. Tredway deals in all kinds of grain, and grinds feed.
During the year ending July 31, 1882, he has bought over 90,000
bushels of grain, and ground eighty-two cars of feed, at 28,000
pounds to the car. He has the very best machinery, — the Moline
separators and the Morgan smutter — and can clean and separate
a car-load an hour. Mr. Tredway has been in the grain business
for ten years, using only his own capital, and is one of Floyd
County's most enterprising business men.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice was established in 1861, and M. 8. Snow was the
first Postmaster. He resigned after two years, and T. H. Judson
was appointed in his place. He was followed by Charles Paddle-
ford, who did not keep the office very long. W. P. Gaylord then
held the office until 1877, when he resigned. T. E. Bryan is the
present Postmaster.
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940 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUNTr.
PBOFESSIOKAL.
The first lawyer was W. P. Gaylord. A Mr. Hunt came here iu
1870, and died after about two years. A Mr. Webber was here
in 1872, for a short time, in partnership with Mr. Gaylord. Ed.
Wheeler came in 1878, and J. F. Gates came in 1877. P. W.
Burr also practiced here some years, but he is now in Charles
City.
The first physician. Dr. C. C. Birney, who is still here, and
Dr. Clark, who is now at Marble Rock, came in 1869. Dr. S. R.
Howitt, now at Charles City, practiced here from 1870 to 1882.
Dr. S. G. Blythe came in 1871, and Dr. F. H. Blythe, in 18S0.
BUSINESS DIREOTOBY.
J. Q. Adams, physician and druggist; C. C. Birney, physician
and druggist; Blythe & Blythe, physicians; B. H. Britton, Prop.
Central House; Brundage Bros., blacksmiths; T. E. Bryan, Post-
master; Burgess & Stone, general merchants; Chambers & Wins-
low, saloon-keepers; Henry Clark, barber; James Clark, boot and
shoe dealer; Mrs. Cleveland, millinery; Henry H. Colt, Prop.
Pre88\ John Fizell, wagon-maker; Gage & Ayers, general mer-
chants; H. Gage, loan agent; J. F. Gates, attorney; Gaylord &
Bryan, general merchants; Edson Gaylord, brick-maker; W. H.
Gonser, grocer; C. F. Greenman, restaurant; John Haasis, gen-
eral merchant; A. Hall, blacksmith; G. W. Hall, harness-maker;
F. M. Hubbard, drugs and groceries, etc.; R. Jakeway, jcreamery;
Keyes & Blythe, Props. Monitory Knapp & Miles, agricultura
implements; J. A. Lathrop, Prop, foundry and machine shops;
William Mathers, harness-maker; G. Miller, butcher; W. W.
Miner, marble- worker; Mitchell Bros., painters; W. J. Murray,
boot and shoe dealer; L. H. Peilm, hardware dealer; Mrs. L. D.
Powers, millinery and dry goods; Rich & Quinby, liverymen;
J. L. Rowell, furniture dealer; H. B. Shaw, Prop. Spencer
House; George Smith, wagon-maker; H. Snahr, boot and shoe
dealer; Leroy A. Snow, grocer; W. S. Sweat, general merchant;
A. B. Tredway, banker; A. B. Tredway, Prop, elevator; W. B. .
Trevitt, saloon-keeper; Wheeler & Hamilton, stock dealers; B. A
Wheeler, lumber dealer; D. O. Whitesell, well-driller; R. M.
Wilson, painter; Albert Zemke, blacksmith.
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.«00K GROVE TOWNSHIP. 941
BELIQIOUB.
Nora Springs M, E. Churoh, — The first class was organized in
the grove near the school-house in August, 1869, by J. W. Gould,
and the charge was organized the same fall. The first denomi-
nation in this vicinity were held in a very early date by such
pioneer preachers [as Revs. Holbrook and Cooley. Among the
first members were James Wyatt and wife, Jerry Parmalee and
wife, Homer Parmalee and wife, S. L. Billings and wife, George
Teel and wife, Philer Hooker and wife, M. fl. Nickerson and wife
and F. L. Benedict and wife.
The first regular pastor was Rev. J.W. Leslie, of Janesville, who
remained here one year. He went from here to Shullsburg, Iowa,
where he died. Mr. Leslie was succeeded in the Nora Springs
pulpit by Rev. Horace Warner, who remained here two years.
He and Rev. Mr. Judson, of the Baptist church, held a very suc-
cessful series of revival meetings, and a number joined at that
time. Mr. Warner went from here to Plainfield, where he still
lives on a farm. Next came Rev. H. W. Bennett, of Decorah, in
1873 and remained three years.
During Mr. Bennett's ministry the friends of the cause raised
the necessary funds and commenced the erection of a church. It
was completed in 1876, at a cost of $3,500. It is a frame struct-
ure, about 40 x60, and will seat comfortably 300 persons.
Mr. Bennett was a very earnest worker, and was very popular
with the congregation. He is a man of great ability, and is now
one of the most prominent ministers in his denomination in Iowa.
He went from here to Mason City, where he remained three years;
thence to Oedar Rapids, staying one year; and thence to Dubuque,
where he has been for three years.
Rev. G. L. Garrison was the next pastor, remaining two years.
He came from Luana, Clayton County, and after his two years here
he went to Shullsburg. He is now preaching at Shell Rock. He
is admitted by all to be a cultured and energetic minister. He is a
graduate of the Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 111. He
was followed by Rev. Thomas E. Fleming, of Mitchell. He re-
mained one year. Iif 1878 came Rev. J. J. Littler, who also
preached but one year. Rev. L. S. Cooley was invited to the pul-
pit in 1879. Mr. Cooley was one of the pioneer preachers of North-
em Iowa, and has been well known to all Methodists. Mr. Cooley
was an enthusiastic worker. He built the church at Plyrjiouth,
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942 HISTOBT OP FLOYD OOUNW.
and he cleared the charch at Nora Springa of debt. He went
from here to MajDard, Fayette Coanty, where he still preaches*
The present pastor, Rev. J. K Cameron, came here in the fall
of 1881, from Maynard, exchanging pulpits with Mr. Cooley.
The first Trnstees of the church, elected in 1870, were M. H.
Nickerson, J. J. Gaylord, F. L. Benedict, Jerry Parmalee and
James Wyatt. The parsonage was built about the same time, at
a cost of $603, besides the lots. This was sold in 1877, to assist
in the payment of the church debt.
The society met in Union Hall, previous to the building of the
church.
The present Trustees of the church are: James Wyatt, G. W.
Adron, J. M. Sheets, F. L. Benedict, T. J. Smith, O. R. Shaw,
and J. H. Morey.
The church has a membership of forty, and the Sunday-school,
of which L. Richie is Superintendent, about the same number.
The Rock Orove Baptist Church was organized at Rock Grove
City in the latter part of 1864. Among the more prominent of
the first members were the following: John Hunt and wife, B.
M. Lyon and wife, Deacon Nicholas Fieenor and wife, and Rev*
Daniel B. Mead and wife. The first Deacons were John Hunt and
Nicholas Fieenor. Rev. Mr. Mead was the first- pastor of the
congregation, and he remained with them till 1865, wlien he re
moved to Newton, Jasper County. There he preached for a year,
and then, for the sake of his health, he purchased a little farm,
which he worked until about 1877, when he returned to Nora
Springs, his present home. Mr. Mead was well liked by all who
heard him preach, and enjoys the honor of being one of the pio-
neer preachers of Northern Iowa. He was followed in the Nora
Springs pulpit by Rev. Mr. Jones, Rev. Mr. Zimmerman, Rev»
Mr. Freeman, Rev. Mr. Sherman, Rev. Mr. T. H. Judson, Rev.
Mr. Abbott and Rev. Mr. Lamkin. The last-named preached
in 1877-'8, and Rev. T. L. Hunter followed him for about one year.
Rev. T. H. Judson was next invited to fill the pulpit, and he re-
mained until the following spring, when Rev. L. W. Atkins came
to Nora Springs. The present pastor, Rev.- G. G. Daugherty,
came in July, 1882. He is a graduate of the Alton Theological
School.
The church building was erected in 1868, at Rock Grove Oity,
and moved to Nora Springs in the summer of 1880. The present
membership of the church is about fifty-five. The Sunday-school,
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BOCK GBOVB TOWNSHIP. 948
ander the superintendencj of A. S. Wright, has an average attead-
ance of aboat eighty.
The Chv/rch of Christ.— Khoxit the first of April, 1871, Miles
Knapp and wife received information that Rev. Melvin ITichols was
preaching the doctrines of Alexander Campbell at Osage, Mitchell
Oonnty. They went through eighteen miles of rain to hear him,
and were so pleased that they urged him to deliver a discourse at
ITora Springs. This he did May 2, and his sermon was the first of
his faith preached at this place. Other meetings were held occa-
sionally during 1871, and on the 12th of January, 1872, began a
series of meetings which resulted in the organization of a society
with about eighty members.
Rev. W. Q. Sweeney was engaged to preach once each month,
and he continued for some six months. Rev. J. W. Moore preached
every two weeks, the meetings at this time being held in Union
Hall. The next pastor was Rev. C. W. Sherwood, who preached
<;ontinuously one year, beginning in 1875, and then on alternate
Sundays for one year. For the next year the society had only occa-
sional services, and then Rev. M. S. Johnson was invited to fill the
pulpit, which he did for about six months of 1877. Since then the
society has held no regular services. The membership is now
forty-five.
The Sunday-school has met regularly since the formation of the
society, and is now in a prosperous condition. Its membership is
^m fifty to sixty. •
Their church was completed in 1873 at a cost of $3,000.
The first Trustees of the church were Miles Biiapp, Joseph An-
keny and James Hauxhurst. The present Trustees are Miles Knapp
and John GrifSth.
J%6 Congregational Society of Nora Springs was organized in
1874. On the evening of Oct. 2 a number of the members met
at Kidney's Hall to form the society. George W. Stonard, Dea-
<5on FuUerton and Dr. S. G. Blythe were appointed to prepare
a constitution and by-laws. This work was duly performed
and their report adopted at the next meeting. The first members
of the society were: George W. Stonard and wife, S. 0. Chadbourne
and wife, H. L. Benedict, B. H. Britton and wife, H. B. Shaw and
wife, Mrs. R. E. Rjbinson, Mrs. M. L. Graham, Mrs. W. M. Brooks,
Mrs. Jackson Gay lord, Deacon Fullerton and wife. Dr. S. G. Blythe
and wife, Clara Chadbourne, Phoebe Chadbourne, V. W. Albee
and wife, Mrs. E. A. Spencer and W. G. Spencer. Of these S. 0.
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944 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Chadboume and wife, Mrs. M. L. Graham, Clara ChadbonrDe,
Phoebe Chadboume and V. W. Albee and wife have taken letters
of dismissal and removed from Nora Springs. The present mem-
bers of the church are George W. Stonard and wife, B. H. Britton
and wife, H. B. Shaw and wife, Mrs. R. £. Robinson, Mrs. W. M.
Brooks, Deacon Fnllerton and wife, Mrs. Dr. S. G. Blythe and
Mrs. E. A. Spencer. The oflScers elected at the time of the adopn
tion of the constitution and by-laws were as follows: Clerk, R. E.
Robinson; Treasurer, B. H. Britton; Trustees, George W. Ston-
ard, S. C. Chadboume and W. L. Benedict.
The Congregationalists have no church building, and have no
regular services at the present time.
The Oerman Evangdioal Assooiation was organized in March,
1 872, at the house of Samuel Spotts, about three miles west of Nora
Springs. The first members numbered twenty-six. The first pastors
of the society were Revs. George Youngblood and F. Schulsky. They
were followed by Rev. Mathew Knoll in 1874. He was here two
years, and it was during his pastorate that the parsonage was built
He was followed in 1876 by Revs. F. Metfessel and O. Beck, the
former of whom remained two years and the latter one year.
July 13, 1877, during Mr. Metfessel's pastorate, the society
having previously bought the old Baptist church, the Trustees
decided to rebuild it and fit it up for use. They had paid $600 for
the church, and now they expended enough on refitting, etc., to
make the total cost about $1,000. The church building is now
about 40 X 20.
Tklr. Metfessel was succeeded in the pulpit of this church by Rev.
E. H. Bippert. He remained two years, and it was during his pas-
torate that most of the work on the church was done. He left in
1879, going to Hardin County. He is at present in Plymouth
County. The next pastor was Rev. William Jonas, of Hardin
County. He was here one year, when he went to Cresco.Rav. F. R,
Frase was next invited to the pulpit in the spring of 1880, and
accepting the call, he remained with the congregation two years.
The present pastor. Rev. Otto Gerhardt, was called to the pulpit of
this church in this month of February, 1882.
The association has at present a membership of about seventy.
The present Trustees are: John Haasis, Peter SteU, C. F. Ladwig^
John Kraus and Fred Briem, The Sunday-school has an attend-
ance of about forty.
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 945
The parsonage was enlarged in the summer of 1882 by the addi-
tion of awing. It is situated just east of the church.
Oerman Branch of the J/. E, Church. — This society was organ-
ized in 1870. The first members belonged previously to the Flood
Creek Circuit, and were as follows: Conrad Krug, Anna L. Krug,
Christian Berlin, Sophia Berlin, Edward Pribbenow, Maria Pribbe-
now, Herman Krueger, Christian Weitze and Johanne Weitze. All
these were received into the membership of the new organization
Sept. 26, 1870.
The first pastor of this congregation was Rev. Wilhelm Koerner,
who began his duties Sept. 26, 1870. He came directly from New-
burg, Mitchell County, but had previously lived in Ulster Town-
ship. This was Mr. Koerner's first charge, but by faithful devotion
to the interests of his congregation he became well liked by all.
He remained two years, and was then followed by Rev. Gottlieb
Haefner, who came from Giard, Clayton County. Mr. Haefner
was also two years in this pulpit, and preached his last sermon
Oct. 4, 1874. Mr. Haefner was a faithful worker for the church,
though this was his first pastorate. He was succeeded by Rev.
Christian Gebhard, who came from Minnesota. Mr. Gebhard was
at Nora Springs three years, and was then followed by Rev. August
Krienke, from Spencer, la. He served this congregation two years,
and then left for Fort Dodge. He is now at Clear Water. Rev.
Philip Hummel was next invited to the pulpit, and he is the present
pastor. He c&me here from Traer, Tama County, and is now nearly
finishing his third year at Nora Springs.
The first Trustees of the church were: J. C. Ell, Philip Goetz,
Christian Ladwig, Christian Berlin and John Kraus. Conrad Krug
and Edward Pribbenow were chosen members of the board July
26, 1873. In 1876 the board consisted of Edward Pribbenow,
Christian Berlin, Conrad Krug, Solomon Tuerk, Carl Meier and
Henry Weitze. The present Trustees are: Edward Pribbenow,
Christian Berlin, Conrad Krug, Charles Meier and Henry Weitze.
The present membership of the society is about fifty, and there
are also ten probationers. The Sunday-school contains about thirty-
five members. The congregation has no church edifice, and holds
services in the English church. They meet in the afternoon, while
the English congregation meets in the morning and evening. The
two Sunday-schools meet one after the other.
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946 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
800IBTIES.
Rock Lodge^ No. 294,, A. F. dk A. M.<i was organized Oct. 18,
1870, by O. Humiston, of Plymouth. The lodge started with a
membership of nine, as follows: Z. C. Trask, E. W. McNitt, J. A-
Hewitt, J. Ooykendall, Samuel Means, A. J. Brundage, D. 0.
Wickersham, J. A. Wilson and Conrad Goeler. The officers elected
at this first meeting were as follows: Z. 0. Trask, Master; E.
W. McNitt, S. W.; J. A. Hewitt, J. W.; D. 0. Wickersham, 8.
D.; J. A. Wilson, J. D.; CM. Allen, Tyler; Samuel Means, Sec-
retary. The office of Master Mason has been held successively by
Z. 0. Trask, E. W. McNitt, H. L. Benedict, F. M. Hubbard and
A. J. Brundage. The present membership is fifty-eight, and the
lodge is in sound condition, financially and otherwise. The pres-
ent officers are as follows: A. J. Brundage, W. M.; 0. W. Weeks,
S. W.; W. W. Miner, J. W.; L. A. Snow, Secretary F. H. Gage,
Treasurer; G. M. Hubbard, S. D.; Elmer Loree, J. D.; W. H.
Baldwin, Tyler; A. A. Sullivan, S. S.; L. H. Peilni, J. S. The
lodge meets the Wednesday evening on or before the full moon
of each month.
Granite Book Lodge, No. 200, L 0. 0. F., was instituted Aug.
5, 1870, by Past Grand B. F. Cheeney, of Charles City, a member
of National Lodge, No. 165, and then D. D. Grand Master of the
district composed of Floyd and adjacent counties. The charter
members were, H. A.. Parmalee, F. M. Hubbard, T. E. Bryan, H.
0. Brock, T. B. Hayes, S. K. Hewett, S. B. Elder apd J. W. Shores,
a part of whom were initiated for the purpose of chartering this
new lodge by Pioneer Lodge, No. 194, then located at Rudd, but
afterward it was removed to Rockford. S. G. Blythe, A. J.
Brundage and 1. S. Brundage, now members of this lodge, were
then N. G., V. G., and Secretary of that lodge, and assisted in the
initiation of these candidates. W. H. Gonser, L. D. Kidder and
James Arnold were initiated on the night of institution. A. W.
Burgess joined by card.
The first officers of the lodge were as follows: H. A. Parmalee,
N. G.; T. E. Bryan, V. G.; W. W. Blood, R. S.; F. M. Hubbard,
Treasurer; T. B. Hayes, P. S.
From the time of its institution until the present time, the lodge
has passed through some dark days common to most all lodges in
a new country, but the principal part of its life has been prosper-
ous. Twice during this time there were serious thoughts in the
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[ IHENEWYOhK"
PUBLIC LiBRAhV
ASTOK. LENOX AND
TlLDEN^'OUNDAnows
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BOOK GROVB TOWNSHIP. 949
mindB of the brothers of surrendering their charter. At one time
there was a motion before the lodge for^ that purpose, but it was
not carried. This motion awoke the members to reaewed energy,
and they put their shoulder to the wheel. It began to move in
earnest, and has continued so to do ever since.
There have been three District Deputy Grand Masters appointed
from this lodge: H. A. Parmalee, F. M.* Hubbard and S. G.
Blythe, the present District Deputy. Mr. Blythe is also the
representative elect to the Grand Lodge of Iowa«
During the twelve years of its existence, its books show that 150
members have signed the roll; ot these there are, now, in good
standing, seventy-two. Its sick and funeral benefits have always
been paid without any assessments, and its financial affairs are in
good condition. In connection with the Masonic lodge, it owns the
real estate on which the lodge now stands. The lodge is now
receiving rent instead of paying it out, as it has done in the past.
Of the eight charter members, there are now but three remain-
ing: Messrs. Hubbard, Parmalee and Bryan, who are now active
members and all Past Grands; the others have all removed from
the place. The lodge holds its regular meetings, on Friday even-
ing of each week.
The present officers are as follows: J. S. Brundage, N. G.; T.
M. Blythe, V. G.; J. L. Wallace, R. 8.; S. G. Blythe, Treasurer;
Zina Roberts, P. 8.; T. E. Bryan, R. 8. to N. G.; J. A. Hardman,
L. 8. to N. G.; Charles Darling, W.; A. W. Burgess, 0.; O. B.
Allen, R. 8. 8.; Fred Ghering, L. 8. 8. ; L. J. Keys, O. G.; F. M.
Meade, I. G.; L. L. Benedict, R 8. to V. G.; F. M. Pardee, L. 8.
to V. G.
8vrety Lodgsy No. 184, .J.. O. U. TT., was organized March 19,
1879, at what was called Gh)od Templars* Hall, by P. W. Burr
and others from Charles City. The lodge started with a member-
ship of twenty-eight, and elected officers as follows: D. A. Wheeler,
P. M. W.; 8. G. Blythe, M. W.; A. J. Brundage, Foreman; F.
M. Mead, Overseer; R. M. Wilson, Guide; T. M. Blythe, Recorder;
A. W. Burgess, Financier; William F. Stewart, Steward; George
A. Heintzleraan, I. W.; William J. Stewart, O. W.; Trustees, 0.
H. Johnson, A. J. Brundage, A. B. Tredway. The office of Master
Workman has been held successively by 8. G. Blythe, D. A.
Wheeler, F. M. Mead, G. A. Heintzleman, A. W. Burgess and
A. B. Tredway. The present membership of the lodge is thirty
58
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960 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
six; and the present officers, elected June 26, 1882, are as foUowe:
A. W. Burgess, P. M. W.; A. B. Tredway, M. W.; T. E. Brjan,
Foreman; G.Miller, Overseer; T. M. Blythe, Eecorder; W. H.
Gonser, Financier; W. F. Stewart, Receiver; 8. G. Blythe, Guide;
J. M. Sheets, I. W.; D.'A. Wheeler, O. W.; Trustee to Jan. 1,
1884, A. B. Tredway ; Trustee to July 1, 1883, S. G. Blythe;- Tnis-
tee to Jan. 1, 1883, J. M. Sheets. The lodge has had no deaths
since organization. It meets the first and last Mondays of each
month over the store of Burgess & Stone. The lodge is finan-
cially sound, and has good prospects for an increase in member-
ship in the near future. Surety ^Lodge has the honor of containing
among its members the Grand Medical Examiner for Iowa — S.
G. Blythe.
jRock Grove Collegium^ V. A. 51, was organized at the armory of
Company K, Sixth Kegiment I. N. G., at Nora Springs, on the
evening of Aug. 9, 1882. Eleven members united in effecting this
organization. The charter has not yet been received. The follow-
ing officers were elected: Rector, S. G. Blythe; Vice-Rector, B.
H. Britton; Chaplain, H. B. Shaw; Scribe, J. L. Wallace; Quaestor,
A. B. Tredway; Usher, Harry H. Britton; Speculator, R. M. Gish;
Curators, S. G. Blythe, Horace Gage and B. H. Britton. The
meetings are to be held the first Saturday of each month. The
purposes of the organization are similar to those of the A. O. U. W.
and I. L. H. — mutual insurance.
Jfora Chapter^ No. 55, O. E, S.^ held its first regular com-
niunication in Union Hall July 14, 1874. The various offices were
tilled that evening by members of the order from Rockford. The
officers regularly elected and installed this evening were as follows:
Helen Britton, W. M.; B. H. Britton, W. P.; Katie Bimey, A.
M.; Lydia A. Snow, Con.; Watie M. Kidney, A. C. ; C. C. Birnev,
Sec; H. Gage,Treas.; Carrie Britton, Adah; A. Burlingame, Ruth;
Martha Hemphill, Esther; Sirs. Tyler Blake, Martha; Mrs. Brooks,
Electa; W. Baldwin, Warder; J. C. Burlingame, Sentinel. It was
decided to hold two communications per month, on the first and
third Mondays. This rule is still the one in force.
The office of Worthy Matron has beon held successively bv
Helen Britton, Carrie Britton, Lydia A. Snow, H. C. Bimey,
Abbie Gardner, Lydia Snow.
The office of Secretary has been filled successively by C. C. Bir-
ney, H. A. Britton, M. A. Bimey, Matilda Snow. The present
officers are as follows: Lydia Snow, W. M.; C. C. Birney, W. P.;
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BOOK OBOYB TOWNSHIP. 961
Nancy Gage, A. M.; Matilda Snow, Sec. ; Sarah Oole, Treae.; Abbie
Gardner, Con.; H. 0. Bimey, A* 0. The present membership in
good standing is eighteen. The chapter is under the jurisdiction
of the Iowa Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, which was
organized at Cedar Rapids, July 30, 1878, under a call from Mrs.
Jennie E. Mathews, District Depnty for Iowa.
Nora Lodge^ No. 86, /. O. G. jT, received its charter March 16,
1876, from Elias Jessup, G. W. C. T., and David Brant, G. W. B.
The charter members were seventeen in number, as follows:
Ladies, B. V. Gaylord, A. Valiet, A. G^ary, Britton, C. Brition,
Waterbury, Watson, Graham, Davison ; Gentlemen, H. Britton,
A. Sweet, O. F. Waterbury, G. Bushnell, A. 0. McNitt, Fuller-
ton, Knapp and Parmalee. The following were installed as offi-
cers for the first terra : Z. 0. Trask, W. 0. T.; Mrs. G. Bushnell,
W. V. T.; B. H. Britton, W. Sec.; A. McNitt, W. A. S.; G. A.
Heintzleman, W. F. S.; F. B. Hamish, W. Treas.; W. F. Gage,
W. M.; H. F. Davison, W. O. G. The lodge met regularly for
five years and a half, and ceased to meet in the fall of 1881. The
lodge had an average membership of about forty, and at one time
had fully eighty. It was a very strong society in its day.
Gardner Post^ No. 79, Gramd Army of the Republic^ was insti-
tuted July 13, 1882, by Chief Mustering Officer Gen. Horace G.
Wolfe, of Jessup, la. At this meeting thirteen comrades signed
the roll, which number has since been swelled to seventeen.
There is a prospect of a still larger membership ; but ultimately, of
course, the organization will become weaker and weaker in num-
bers, unlike other organizations, for one by one the boys who
wore the blue are answering to the roll call ''beyond the river."
The society is an honorable one, and the members are held
together by peculiar ties. The poet is named in honor of George
H. Gardner, formerly of Nora Springs. The following officers
were elected : S. G. Blythe, Commander ; L. R. Funston, Senior
Vice-Commander ; L. D. Powers, Junior Vice-Commander ; T. E.
Bryan, O. D.; O. P. Waterbury, O. G. ; C. R Belauski, Adjutant ;
J. C. Chambers, Quartermaster; L. J. Keyes, Sentinel; 0. F.
Greenman, S. M. The regular meetings of the post are on the
first and third Tuesday evenings of each month.
Company Jf, SiMh Regimervt^ I. N. G. — This company ot
militia was mustered in in July, 1878, with about forty members ; it
now contains nearly fifty, most of whom are in Bock Grove Town-
ship. The company meets regularly for drill at their armory in
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952 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Nora Springs, on the evenings of the first and third Thursdays
of each month. The following are the officers : Leroy A. Snow,
Captain ; C. S. Tredway, First Lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant,
W. W. Miner. The company have uniforms, and uniforms sup-
plied by the State. They have attended encampments as follows :
Regimental, at Osage, October, 1878 ; Regimental, at Charles
City, October, 1879; Brigade, at Des Moines, October, 1881;
Brigade, at Waterloo, June 19-24, 1882.
Nora SpringB Cornet Band. — A band was organized at Nora
Springs in 1874, under the leadership of Israel Turner, then depot
agent at Nora Junction. It contained about nine members, and
continued in existence for three years. It had the reputation of
being one of the finest cornet bands in the Northwest. It played
at the Centennial Celebration at Charles City, July 4, 1876, and a
number of other towns in Floyd County and vicinity. Since this
band was broken up, two cornet bands have been organized, both
of which had but a brief existence.
Hook and Ladder Company. — ^The Nora Springs Hook and
Ladder Company was organized in 1875, and continued in exist-
ence about two years. There were about thirty members of the
company. They were never needed for actual service but once,
and that was when William Workman's barn was burned, in 1876.
At this time the whole company turned out promptly, but they
were unable to do much toward saving -the barn. The town
authorities purchased a wagon and several good ladders for the
company, which drilled regularly once a month until it was dis-
banded, not receiving suflScient encouragement from the citizens.
The last officers were V. W, Albee, Foreman; W. R. Poulton, 1st.
Assistant; O. B. Allen, 2d Assistant; F. M. Mead, Secretary; L.
A. Snow, Treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mien Adams was born in Mercer County, Peim., Nov. 26, 1843.
He resided on a farm till he was fourteen years old, when he
gleamed the trade of a shoemaker. He came to this country in 1861,
. and in the spring of 1862 enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Iowa
Infantry; was transferred to the Twenty-first Regiment in the fall of
1862; went in as a private, was promoted to Sergeant, and during
the siege of Vicksburg, June 17, was mustered in as Second
Lieutenant, which he held till the close of the war. When his
time expired he was tendered the commission of Captain in order
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BOOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 963
to keep the company together till the balance of the regiment's
time was out and tliey discharged, but declined. He was in the
battlesof Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Jackson, Span-
ish Fort, Fort Blakely, and others. He was on detached service
during the charge at Black River Bridge. Took part in the charge
on Vicksburg and saw Colonel Dunlap killed. He was married in
1868 to Mary 8. Kilborn, who was born in 1842. Her father, E. B.
Balborn, was born in New York State in 1807, and died in Feb-
ruary, 1881, in Otsego County, N". T. Her mother, Mary (Fitch)
Kilborn, was born in 1810 and died in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Adams
have two children — ^Mertie L. and Gracie Belle. He owns ninety-
three acres on section 17, Rock Grove Township, and is engaged
in both farming and stock-raising.
John R. AdamSy fanner and stock-raiser, section 9, Rock Grove
Township, was born in Bedford County, Pa., March 19, 1824:. He
is a son of John Adams, of the same county. His Grandfather
Adams was a native of Germany. John R. moved to Knox County,
Ohio, with his parents in 1836, where his father died in 1876.
He came to this county in 1865 and settled on wild prairie land;
hauled lumber from Cedar Falls to build his house and took all
his wheat there and sold it for forty cents a bushel. He owns
1,900 acres, all under cultivation. He is no office seeker. He was
married in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, April 6, 1860, to Ellen Miksch, a
native of New Philadelphia, Ohio. They have live children — Ilo,
Rankin, Asa, Clara and Ida.
Oyrtis M. Allen (deceased) was bom in Scipio, Cayuga County,
N. Y., May 4, 1822, and in 1833 he moved with his parents to Ber*
rien, Mich., and subsequently to Chicrtgo. He was married in the
latter place, in 1850, to Lucy J. Judson, daughter of Henry Jud-
son (deceased). She was born in Huntinajton, Crittenden County,
Vt Seven children blessed their union, viz.: Lucia, Oscar B.,
Alonzo, Carrie, Cyrus, Walter and Bertie. In 1856 Mr. Allen
became a resident of Nora Springs, where, in company with John
West, he owned and operated a saw-mill a number of years. He
afterward worked at the blacksmith's trade. He died Feb. 11, 1874,
and sorrow fell upon many hearts when to the list of the dead
was added the name of this honest and upright man. He was a
consistent member of the Congregational church, as was his wife,
who afterward became the wife of Elder D. B. Mead, a Baptist
minister.
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964 HMTOBY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
Obcwt B. All&Hf an enterprising young basiness man of Nora
Springs, is a native of Cook Connty, III., born July 1, 1 865, a son
of Cyrus M. Allen (deceased), whose sketch appears in this work.
He came with his parents to Nora Springs in 1856, and was here
reared and educated. He served an apprenticeship at the harness-
maker's trade under G. W. Hall, and is still in his employ. He
went to Dakota Territory in 1878, and was bookkeeper for the
contractors who were building the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad and division, for some months. He returned to
Nora Springs, and has since resided here. He is Secretary of the
City School Board, and has been a member of the Old Settlers'
Association for the past four years. He is a prominent member
of the I. O. O'. F. fraternity.
Jacob Ankeny^ former and stock-raiser, section 4, Rock Grove
Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 25,
1822. His father, George Ankeny, of Westmoreland County,
moved to Bjiox County, Ohio, in 1830. Jacob came to this county
in 1855, where he owns 120 acres of fine land. He was Town-
ship Trustee at an early day, and at that time built the first bridge
across Flood Creek. He was married in Knox County, O., to
Susannah Adams. They have had thirteen children — Mary (de-
ceased), Olive, Rebecca and Elizabeth, bom in Ohio; Thomas J.,
Wallie F., Joseph L., Normandy, James P. and four deceased,
bom in this county. Two daughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, are
prominent teachers in this county. When Mr. Ankeny settled
here, there were very few families in the township, and it was a
wild prairie.
Oeorge Apely farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, Rock Grove
Township, was born in Hesse, Germany, March 22, 1846. His
father, George Apel, was also a native of Germany. George, Jr.,
came to America, and to Osage, Iowa, in 1860. He enlisted in th«
late war in Company K, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and
served three years, being in the battles of Little Rock, Nashville,
Spanish Fort, Tupelo, and many others. He came to Floyd
County in 1874, where he owns 160 acres of fine land. He was
married in 1868 to Katie Lohn, and has three children — Conrad
G., Anna C, and Willie F. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
Ahner A, Babcocky farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, Rock
Grove Township, born in Otsego County, N. Y., July 22, 1822, is
a son of Sanford Babcock, also a native of New York State. His
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BOOK OBOYE TOWNSHIP. 96S
early life was spent on a farm, and his education was received in
the common schools of New York. In April, 1863, he came to
this county and bought land, and the following fall moved his fam-
ily here. He owns 170 acres and a half interest in 120 acres of
fine land. He was married Sept. 19, 1852, to Nancy, daughter of
Nicholas Quackenbos. They are the parents of six children, five
living — Amos M., Isaac T., Ira J., George L., and Estella. He
has served his county as Supervisor and his township as Clerk and
Assessor.
laaao T. Bahcooky son of the above, was born in Otsego Coiinty,
N. Y., April 26, 1858. He came to this county with his parents
in 1863, and has received his education in the schools of thisplace^
residing on the farm with his parents. He was married Feb. 7,
1882, to Ella Baker, a daughter of George A. Baker, who came
to this county in 1870. Isaac T. resides on section 14, where
he owns 120 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock-
raising.
George A. Bakery farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, was born
in Knox County, Ohio, May 18, 1833, a son of William Baker, a
native of Pennsylvania, who was brought to Elnox County, Ohio,
in 1812, when one year old. Geo. A. grew up on the same farm
as his father; was educated in a subscription school, the first one
be attended being held in the loft or attic of an old log milk-
bouse. He came to this county in 1870 and now owns 192 acres
of finely cultivated land. He was married in the fall of 1854 to
Mary Robison. They have eight children — ^William W., John B.,
Ella, Cliflfbrd M., Jacob H., Sarah, Louis and Walter.
Francis L, Benedict was born in Chenango County, N. F.,
Oct. 11, 1825; a son of Lewis Benedict, a native of Connecticut,
and Lydia (Packard) Benedict, a native of New York. Both are
living; the fatiier eighty-three and the mother eighty-one years of
age. Francis L. was educated in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he
went with his parents when a small boy. In 1852 he came to Linn
County, la., and in 1856 to this county, where he owns 200 aoree
on section 18, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He
was married March 21, 1848, to Abigail Snow, a native of Massa-
chusetts. They have seven children, five living — James L., Ly-
man L., Elmer A., Harrison (nd Bertie. He has been Township
Trustee and School Director several years; County Supervisor one
year, and was Postmaster two years.
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966 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Sefyry Z. Benedict was born in Ooveutrj, Ohenango Oonnty, N.
Y., Nov. 1, 1834. His father, Lewis Benedict, a native of Con-
necticut, moved to Oayahoga County, Oliio, in 1836, and in 1846
to Dodge County, Wis. Henry L. was educated in Ohio and Wis-
cousin. He came to this county in the fall of 1867 and settled on
section 11, where he owns 160 acres of fine land and eighteen
acres of timber. He is both farming and stock-raising. He was
married in 1855 to Sarah A., daughter of Martin L. Blair. They
have had four children, three living — Sumner A., Charles F., and
Lettie S. Marsha £. died at the age of eight years. He is
Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace; is a member of the
A. F. & A. M.
Smith O. Blythey M. jZ>., Nora Springs, was born in Middlesex
County, N. J., Nov. 6, 1841, and was one of a family of nine
children. His father, Joseph M. BIythe, was a native of Kentucky 9
and a minister in the Presbyterian faith. In 1856 he was placed
in charge of a pastorate at Yincennes, Ind., where Smith remained
one year, then returned to the East, and entered Lafayette College
at Easton, Pa., from which he graduated in the spring of 1860.
He took charge of a classical academy at Belvidere, N. J., in the
following fall, and began reading medicine. He was one of the
first to enlist in the late JElebellion« becoming a member of Company
D, First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and in a month after
enlistment was made Commissary Sergeant. In February, 1862,
he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of Company A,
and at the battle of South Mountain was made First Lieutenant of
Company F, and in November of 1862, was promoted to the Cap-
taincy. He was wounded four times, and so severely at the battle
of the Wilderness that he was mustered out for physical disability
on June 24, 1864. Upon leaving the service he taught school at
Hopewell, Ind., some time, and in the meanwhile continued the
study of medicine. He attended the Ohio State Medical College
at Cincinnati, during the sessions of 1866-'67, and located in the
practice of his profession, in the spring of 1867, at Vinton, la.
He successfully practiced there until December, 1869, when he
moved to Rudd, Floyd County; thence, in January, 1873, to Nora
Springs. He graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College
of New York City, in 1878, and sincft his residence here has built
up a large and lucrative practice, being recognized as one of the
leaders of the medical profession in the State. Dr. BIythe was
married July 8, 1863, to Miss Emily G. Sharp, daughter of Judge
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BOOK GBOYB TOWNSfilP. 957
Wm. R. Sharp, of New Jersey. Of nine children born of this
union three survive — Emily M., Hannah L., and Bedford V. The
deceased were — Ellen H., William S., Jessie C, Elizabeth G., Jean
M., and one who died in infancy. Dr. Blythe was the Presidential
Elector for the Foarth Congressional District in 1880, and has effi-
ciently served in various local offices. He is on the Governor's
staff as Snr/a^eon General, with the rank of Brigadier Gteiieral of the
Iowa National Gaards. His mother, Ellen Henrietta (Green)
Blythe, was a sister of the Hon. Chief Justice Green, of New Jersey.
Alvaro W. Burgean is a native of Mukwanago, Waukesha County,
Wis., born Sept. 20, 1846, a son of Alvaro Burgess, Sr., who died
in Beaver Dam, Wis., in 1864, whither he had moved with bis
family in 1848. The subject of this memoir was the youngest of
a family of ten children, and he came to Nora Springs from Beaver
Dam in 1869 and engaged in the manufacture of pumps. In Febru-
ary, 1871, he married Miss Marion E. Gay lord, oldest daughter of
W. P. Gaylord. On the 29th day of September, 1872, after an
illness of two days, she died. In April, 1874, he married Miss
Lentie Paddleford, second daughter of Charles Paddleford. They
have two children — Dale and Ruth. Mr. Burgess is now engaged
in the mercantile business at Nora Springs with Mr. A. Stone.
They carry a $7,000 stock of goods, and their annual sales amount
to $30,000. They are popular merchants, and are recognized as
men of irreproachable business integrity. In politics Mr. Burgess's
sympathies are with the Republican party. In religion, a Baptist.
Thomas Edwin Bryan^ one of the prominent citizens of
Nora Springs, is a native of Nobles County, O., born Dec. 3, 1843.
His father, Cornelius Bryan, was born in Monroe County, O. , in 18 10.
The subject of this memoir came to Nora Springs, la., in Novem-
ber, 1869, from Delaware County, la. He enlisted during the war of
the great Rebellion in Company K, Twenty-first Regiment Iowa
Volunteers Infantry, and remained in the service three years.
He married Miss Carrie Nichols, who died after a long and painful
illness on Feb. 13, 1875. He was married Jan. 23, 1878, to Harriet
A., daughter of Hon. W. P. Gaylord. They have one child, a
daughter — Benlah. In company with J. J. Gaylord, Mr. Bryan is
conducting a store of general merchandise at Nora Springs under
the firm name of Gaylord & Bryan. He is an accomplished
businessman, an active salesman and a good accountant In politics
he is a Republican, and was appointed Postmaster of Nora Springs
in January, 1879, and still retains the office. He is a prominent
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968 HISTORY OF FLOYD OODNTV.
member of the I. O. O F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, Nora
Springs*
Henry H. Oott is a native of New York State, born in 1839. He,
with his parents, moved to Wisconsin in 1852 and came to Nora
Springs in 1872, starting the first \)aper ever printed in the town.
With a disposition that cannot endure inaction, he gathered a
slight knowledge of printing while spending the winter of 1863-'4r
in Flint, Mich. ; at that time he was working by day in a farnitare
manufactory, and becoming acquainted with the " boys *' of the
Wolverine Citizen^ he passed the evenings in their company at
the printing office, without the slightest idea that printing was
ever destined to become his regular business. In the spring o^
1864 he returned to Wisconsin, engao^ing in the grocery business,
and printing a three-column amateur paper started by other parties.
From this small beginning and from love of the work grew out a
job office, and a newspaper became a natural consequence. Mr.
Cott is by right the senior editor of Floyd County, having been
continuously in business for a longer period than others of the
profession.
Charles Darlmgy son of Calvin Darling, of Vermont, was bom
in Tioga County, N. Y., May 19, 1840. In 1855 he went to Por-
tage County, Wis., with his parents, where he worked on a farm
in connection with his trade, that of carpenter, which he learned
when a boy, till the fall of 1868, when he came to Floyd County.
He is living on section 21, Eock Grove Township, and is both
farming and working at the carpenter's trade. He was married
Sept. 21, 1862, to Maria Post, a native of New York Slate. They
are the parents of fonr children, three living — Adda E., Francis
L., and Annie L. Milton L. died at the age of five years. Mr.
Darling is a member of the Baptist church. He has been Town-
ship Trustee several years, and School Director. He is a member
of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. E. During the war be served in
Company F, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, one year.
Ira H. Deauy farmer and stock-raiser, was bom in Foxcrofl,
Piscataquis County, Me., Nov. 8, 1881, and is a son of Ira Dean,
a native of Massachusetts. He was reared on a farm and received
a common-school education. He went with his parents to DeEalb.
County, HI., in 1844, and in 1854 came to this township. He resides
on section 14, where he owns eighty acres. He was married Sept. 37,
1867, to Mary A., a daughter of Adam Cline. They are the parents
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BOOK OBOVE TOWNSHIP. 959
of six children, five living — Henry G., Dorcas M., Sarah A., Char-
lotte M. and Lnna E. He has served as Constable two terms.
William 2?«an,farmer and stock-raiser, Bock Grove Township,
is a son of Ira Dean, a native of Massachasetts, and was born in
Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, Me., July 26, 1827, where he received
a common-school education. He came West, to DeSalb County,
HI., in 1844, and to this county in 1863. There were only two
houses where Charles City now stands, at that time, one being a
store and a dwelling. He went about sixty miles, to Waverly and
Cedar Falls, to mill, built his first house of loga, making the floor-
ing of basswood and the shingles of oak with an ax only; fastened
the roof on with weight poles. Took his wheat to McGregor, a
distance of 100 miles, and sold it for 25 and 30 cents per bushel.
He was married July 4, 1856, to Harriet A., daughter of Samuel
Gay lord. They had one child — William J., born May 7, 1858;
died May 25, 1858. Mrs. Dean died May 8, 1858. Feb. 12, I860,
he married Adeline Arthur, who died Sept. 8, 1874. July 4, 1875,
he married Harriett N. Birdseli. He resides on section 11, and
owns 370 acres of fine land. He has held the offices of Township
Clerk, Township Trustee, and has been Justice of the Peace several
years. Mr. Dean always held that the path of duty was the only
path of safety; would sooner see the *' heavens fall" than swerve
from what he thought to be right. He was ever particular to falfill
to the letter every promise, even to the least. When his promise was
out for anything it was always sure. Though hard up for money
his punctuality enabled him to get any money that was not in
immediate use wherever he could find a dollar.
NvcholoB Fleenor^ farmer and stock-raiser, section 17, Rock
Grove Township, was born in Washington County, Va., June 17,
1811. He is a son of Isaac Fleenor, of the same State, Nicholas
being born and reared on the same farm as his father ; attended a
subscription school in a log cabin ; had slab benches with no backs,
puncheon floor, and heated by a fire on a large stone at one end of
the cabin, the smoke going out of a hole in the roof. There was
a slab on pins stuck in the'wall for a writing desk, and greased
paper pasted over a crack in the wall for a window. He went to
Washington County, Ind., in 1834, and cleared out a farm. He
came to this township in 1865, moved on a farm here in 1856.
He owns 150 acres, and has deeded eighty acres to his sons. He
was married in December, 1835, to Sarah Kaylor. They had
eleven children, seven living — Robert, John, James, Mary J.,
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960 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Martha E., Nancy C, and Lnella. Two sons, Isaac M. and Geo.
¥.y died in the late war. Isaac M. was in the Twenty-eighth Iowa
Infantry, and Oeo. P. was in the Dubnqne Battery. One daughter,
Mary, died after she was married, and left one son.
Enoch F, Forbes^ section 20, Rock Grove Township, was bom
in Black Hawk County, la., June 2, 1853. He came to Floyd
County with his parents in April, 1866. He was married Nov. 25,
1873, to Lora E. Henry, born in this township May 24,1856, and a
daughter of John and Julia A. (Workman) Henry. They are the
parents of four children, three living — Milton, Wilson and Mary
Maud. Mr. Forbes is a member of the I. O. O. F.
John O. JBorhea^ a native of New York, came to Iowa in 1850,
and settled in Henry County. From Henry County he went to
Louisa, from Louisa to Black Hawk, from Black Hawk to Tama,
and from Tama to Rock Grove, in 1866, and purchased of B. M.
Lyon the premises near Rock Grove City, where his widow now
resides. He married Miss Elizabeth Mathews. In February,
1872, he died, and was buried at Rock Grove City. He was an
industrious, honest farmer, and was respected by all. On the
premises he had planted a fine young orchard, which is now pro-
ducing its fruits. He held the office of Trustee and School
Director, and whatever he did for himself or the public was well
done. His children were — Harriet, now dead ; Margaret J., wife
of William O. Moore, of Indiana, and now dead ; Thomas J., now
in Kossuth County, la. ; Joseph W., now in Minnesota ; James W.,
now here ; Mary E., wife of P. J. Smith, of Black Hawk County ;
Wilson M., now studying for the legal profession, at State Uni-
versity at Iowa City ; E. Fletcher, now here, and Isabella, wife ot
George Brown, Esq., of this place. In politics a Republican. In
religion a Methodist.
S. (7a^tf,Mayor of Nora Springs, was born in Worcester County,
Mass., Feb. 20, 1822, a son of Nathan Gage, likewise a native of
the Bay State. His grandfather, Silas Gage, emigrated from Scot-
land to America when a mere boy, and his descendants are now
among the prominent respected citizens of various States. The
subject of this memoir was reared on a farm, and his educational
advantages were those of the common schools. At the age of four-
teen he became self-supporting, purchasing a stock of tinware, which
he peddled three years, then ran a wholesale cigar and confectionery
wagon three years. He spent two years as collector for T. New &
Co., stove dealers, in Keene, N. H., and in 1852 he married Nancy
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BOOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. ' 961
E. Stone, of that place. Four children have blessed their union,
Henry S., Warren H., Frank H. and Mary E. After his marriage,
in 1864 Mr, Gage moved to Madison, Wis., thence to Stevens*
Point in 1856. One year later he located in Howard County, la.,
where he engaged in farming and the mercantile and stock busi-
ness until the fall of 1867, when he became a resident of Nora
Springs. He has been instrumental in building up the town, and
has been always foremost in any enterprise that promised profjression
to her interests. He always takes an active interest in educational
matters and has been a member of the School Board for six years.
He has served acceptably as Mayor for the past five years; he
helped to organize the Masonic lodge of this place, and is also a
meihbe^of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. During the first years of his
residence here Mr. Gage engaged in the mercantile, grain and
banking business, but of late has attended to the management of
his farms, five in number, and loaning his money. Though coming
to this country in limited circumstances he has by an indomitable
will and determination to succeed surmounted all obstacles, and
to-day he ranks with the wealthy and influential citizens of
Floyd County.
J(matha/n F. GateSy attorney, Nora Springs, was born near
Marietta, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1838. He went with his parents to Mil-
waukee, Wis., in 1843, and in 1847 to Fond du Lac County, Wis. In
1861 he went to Independence, la., and from there direct to what is
now Springfield, D. T., and helped lay out the town ; returned to
Independence in 1861. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company
C, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and was discharged Feb. 16,
1863, on account of disability. His education was limited till
after the war, when he went to Lenox Collegiate Institute, Hop-
kinton, la., during 1866 and 1867. He then read law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in March, 1875. Ho practiced in Independence a
short time; served five years as Deputy Sheriff of Buchanan County,
la., before he was admitted to the bar. He came to Nora Springs
in the fall of 1876, where he is engaged in the practice of law, col-
lecting, notary public, real estate and general agent. He was
married April 10, 1869, to Mary J. Burrington. They have one
adopted child — ^Edna, born April 14, 1873. He is a member of the
L O. O. F.
£dion Gaylordj born in Northville, Litchfield County, Conn.,
Oct. 16, 1826, is a son of Samuel and Betsy (Jackson) Qaylord.
His paternal grandfather, Ager Gaylord, was in the French and
Indian wars, and distinguished himself by killing two Frenchmen
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HISTORY OF FLOTD COUNTY.
at one shot, while on picket duty. The Gajlords are noted as a
long-lived race, several of his ancestors reaching 100, and one the
advanced age of 112 years. His mother was specially noted for her
fine vocal powers. Edson Gaylord has always been a hard-work-
ing man commencing at the early age of six years, when his father
hired him out to ride a horse for Elmer Baldwin, of New Milford,
Oonn., to plow a steep side-hill full of stumps and stones. He was
put on the horse, which was hitched ahead of two yoke of unbroken
steers. Tiie horse pulled one way and the steers the other. The
order was given to ''lick up,'' and he "licked up," when oflF they
started, boy, horse, steers, and, lastly, Yankee Baldwin, holding
on to the plow with a death-like grip. He started as soon as the
sun was up in the morning, and rode all day, returning just as it
was dark, and received six and one-foijrth cents a day. At the age
of nine he was hired out to work on a farm at $6 per month. At
the age of seventeen he went to Sussex County, N. J., to teach
school. He left home with $7 in money and one plain suit of
clothes. After traveling three days he reached his destination with
fifty cents left. He taught the school three successive terms and re-
turned to Connecticut with $70, paid up his father's small debts
and commenced going to school. Three weeks later he was sent
for from a back country school, where the large scholars had just
dismissed the teacher with fearful warnings if he ever dared show
himself in the community again as a teacher. After many warn-
ings from friends and much persuasion from the committee he con-
cluded to accept the position which he filled with perfect satisfac-
tion to. all concerned for three winters. In the spring of 1S48 he
engaged to work for Captain John Peters, of Woodville, for $160
a year, pledging himself to work faithfully, with no holidaj. This
pledge he kept to the letter, losing no time in the following five
years he did not make up by working nights. He taught three
terms in a district school in New Jersey. Up to the time he was
twenty-one he gave all his wages to his father, reserving only suffi-
cient to clothe himself in the plainest manner. In the spring of
1863 the five brothers were in council together and agreed that one
c»f their number should '* go West," and look up, and secure homes
for themselves and families. This lot fell to Edson. He went first
to Bristol, Wis., where he had cousins; looked over the Southern
part of Wisconsin and the Northern part of Illinois, down as far as
Quincy; then came into Iowa, and from here went to Minnesota;
then back to Bristol, where he worked through harvest; then started
once more, and, finally, after coming to Kock Grove for the third
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 968
time, was fully convinced that it was the most lovely spot, and pos-
sessed more natural advantages than any other he had seen in all
his rambles. Oct. 21, 1863, he cut the first tree, to clear up the
site for his future home on the northwest quarter of section 17. He
completely finished a house 18 x 24, warm and comfortable, with-
out using a nail. The roof was of split stakes, held in place by
heavy poles. Mr. Gaylord has some peculiarities that it would be
well if more ])0ssessed. He has held as his motto: *'Pay as yon
go," owing no one, and never gave his note till after he was forty-
five, and then on conditions. Never gave written security to any
one. In religion he is eclectic; in politics is independent; always
, subscribes liberally to all church and public enterprises, especially
such as pertain to the cause of education. He cut the first tree for
a school-house in Floyd County, getting up in the middle of the
night to do it. Mr. Gaylord is a man of more than ordinary ability,
as his work has shown. He cnt out and made the first pioneer road
through Kock Grove; burned the first lime in a regular kiln. He
made and supplied almost the entire country with lime and brick
for many years, havingfor this business over forty-five acres of very
heavy timber, averaging to handle the wood three times with his
hands. He deeded most of the land where Nora Springs now stands
from the Government. He built one of the most substantial houses
in Northern Iowa, using for the purpose 100,000 brick and 500
bushels of lime; has dealt with many, but lawed with none, always
exemplifying his fixed convictions, that every person should secure
their own needs by honest toU. He was for some years a corre-
spondent of the New York Tribune. Has written many valuable
papers on the apple-tree. question in the Northwest, which have
been republished and highly complimented by leading horticultur-
ists of the Northwest. He never aspired to any public oflBce which
he did not secure by heavy majorities. He has been Justice of the
Peace, Chairman of the Board of Township Trustees, and Chair-
man of the City School Board several years each. Is now a mem-
ber of the two latter, and also Marshal and Street Commissioner.
He was married July 22, 1862, to Helen M. Lamb, of Wayne, Du-
page County, 111., of Scotch parentage. Their first born was a
son — Wallace E., born July 22, 1863; the second, a daughter, Myrta
J., born July 22, 1866, died Mar, 1, 1869; the third, a daughter,
Vienna, bom Jan. 27, 1871.
Jackson Gaylord was born in the village of Northville, township
of Wew Milford, Litchfield County, Conn., on Dec. 23, 1829. He
was named after his mother, whose maiden name was Betsy Jack-
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564 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
Bon. He 18 a descendant of brave and patriotic ancestors, many of
them having fought bravely in the defense of their country ^s honor,
in the wars which occurred in their lifetimes. His great-grand-
father died in the French and Indian wars, and his grandfather,
Agar Qaylord, entered the army at the age of 16, serving through
the French and Indian and the Revolutionary wars. On one occa-
sion while out on a scouting expedition, he saw two Frenchmen,
who had taken refuge behind two trees which had commenced
growing together and widened out as they grew. Mr. Gaylord
and his party took refuge behind a stump, standing in Indian file,
to watch the proceedings of the enemy. The Frenchmen stepped
together to prime their guns, one of them apparently being out of
powder. Mr. Gaylord embraced the opportunity to make sure of
his men, which he did by killing both at one shot. Agur Gaylord
died at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. Samuel Gaylord,
father of the subject of this interesting record, was born Jan. 6,
1776, in the town of Norfolk, Oonn., and at the age of fourteen
was apprenticed to the blacksmith's, serving seven years. He was
an excellent workman, especially excelling in the manufacture of
edged tools. He emigrated to Rock Grove Township in 1855, and
resided here until his death. He secured the south half of south-
east quarter of section 1, township 96, range 19, Portland Township,
Cerro-Gordo County; also twenty-nine acres of timber on section
18, lying between the railroad addition to Nora Springs and the
Shell Rock River, on a part of which the M. & St. P. R. R. Co.
built their depot. He also owned blocks 13 and 14, old town,
living on said premises several years. He has since built a house
on lots 1 and 2, block 10, railroad addition, where he resides
at this time. He was married on the 8th of November, 1862,
to the widow Harriet Vliet, of Tranquility, Sussex County, N. J.
She had three children — Eliza and Ira, who live in Jersey, and
Alice, who married Robert Wilson, and now lives in Nora Springs.
His wife, Harriet, died of consumption, on Dec. 2, 1877. He was
again married Aug. 7, 1879, to the widow Elizabeth Coppook, a
native of Stockport, England, and sister to Israel Turner, depot
agent at Nora Junction. She had one son — W. M., who lives
with his mother. Jackson has no children. By profession he is a
8chool-teacher, and has a good education. He attended the com-
mon schools until twelve years of age, and from that time until his
eighteenth year went to school during the winters and worked in
the summers. He spent four terms in an academy or high school.
Being naturally endowed with superior mental abilities he has
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ROOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 966
been a diligent etudent, and is one of the best informed men of
his day. As a teacher he has been very successful. While in the
West farming was his principal business. In politics a Republican .
He 18 not a member of any church, but in sentiment a Congregation-
alist. His wife, Harriet, was a .member of the Congregational church.
The following narrative as related by him shows to some extent
the endurance and perseverance of the early settlers: "In 1856 I
was living in Tranquility, Sussex County, N. J.; having deter-
mined on going West, I went to New York City, where I met my
father, mother, and two sisters, also brother Lyman and family
and brother Edson, who had returned from the West for the pur-
pose of taking my father and family back with him. We went to
Chicago, then up the lake to Kenosha, Wis., thence to Bris-
tol, where we stopped several weeks with brother Wilberforce and
other friends, making preparations for a three-hundred-mile over-
land journey to Iowa, also waiting for our goods which we had
sent by the way of the lakes, but we were obliged to go without
them, learning afterward they arrived the day we left. We pur-
chased four yoke of oxen and three wagons; on the l&th of No-
vember we commenced our journey. For three days the weather
was very pleasant, when suddenly it changed, rained, turned cold,
snowed, and winter set in in earnest. Our faithful oxen trudged
on, day after day, slow but sure. At night stopping with some
farmer, spreading our beds upon the floor, bunked in for a snooxe
and a rest, Edson and sometimes myself sleeping out-doors in
the wagon. So we traveled on day after day through the snows,
and beaten by the cold winds of the Wisconsin hills. Upon reach-
ing the Mississippi Kiver we found navigation stopped on account
of the slush ice in the river. Thinking we might have to remain
where we were during winter, we commenced making preparations
for that purpose. We stopped with a Kentuckian by the name of
Hartford, a whole-souled, generous-hearted man, who, with his
wife, did all they could to make us comfortable. In about four
days the weather moderated so that the ferry-boat could run. We
hurried our things aboard our wagons, and bidding good-bye to
our kind hosts, we started once more for Iowa. On nearing the
river we had to cross some bridges over bayous; our oxen not lik-
ing the looks of things very well, behaved so badly we were obliged
to unyoke part of them and draw the wagons over by hand.
On reaching the ferry we had quite a time in persuading our cat-
tle to get on board; this iKting accomplished, we crossed the river
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966 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and landed at Clayton Citj, la., jnst at dark. Then we had to
climb the heights and get over the bluffs. Oar oxen not being
shod and the road slippery, we had to doable teams, sand the road,
and take one load at a time. All having safely^ reached the sum-
mit, we were soon bunked for the night and in the arms of Mor-
pheus. On the 6th of December, after a cold and tedious journey,
we arrived at Rock Grove, on section 17, where Edson Ghiylord
lives at the time of this writing. The log house is now stand-
ing, having two rooms, in which seventeen of us, big and little,
livBd most of the winter. Provisions were very scarce; no meat
or anything hardly in the country, except flour; for some time we
lived principally on bread, and gravy made of flour, water, and
molasses. We had to go long distances to trade. Myself and
Earl Gaylord, my nephew, ten or twelve years of age, went to
Dubuque to trade, with a big wagon and two yoke of cattle, a
distance of 140 miles; stopping at Janesville, we found salt $9
a barrel; in Dubuque it was about $1.60. We were gone twelve
days, camping out and sleeping in our wagon. Meetings were
held in log school-houses and the groves. The people gathered
for miles around, coming with ox teams. All were on a com-
mon level, and general harmony and peace prevailed.
John O. Oaylord^ known in army records as J. J. Gaylord, was
bom in Litchfield County, Conn., July 28, 1843. He is a son of
Lyman Gaylord, and came with his parents to this country in
1855. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common
schools of this county. He enlisted in the late war, in Company
A, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, and served over three years. He
was in the battles of Magnolia Hill, Champion Hill, at the capture
of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863 ; was one of the number that made
desperate charges at Black River Bridge and Yicksburg, May 22,
when Grant attempted to take the latter by storm ; fought from
May 1 to July 4, losing one tenth of their number May 17, at the
Black River Bridge charge, and taking 1,100 prisoners and eighteen
cannon ; also, at Mobile, Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort and others ;
was never wounded or taken prisoner, and was always in the
front. He was married May 21, 1861, to Alice J. La Due. Mrs.
Gaylord died and, Sept. 16, 1863, he married Sarah Ankeny.
Of his four children only three are living — Alice, Flora, and
George A. He resides on section 10, and is engaged in farming
and stock-raising. He owns 200 acres of fine land.
Joh/n J, Gaylord^ brother of the Hon. W. P. Gaylord, was
bom in the State of New York, Dec. 12, 1818. His parents
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BOOK GROVE TOWKSBIP. 947
moved to Litchfield County, Conn., when he was an infant, and
he was reared and educated in New Milford that State. When he
was seventeen years old his parents removed to Warren Town-
ship, and he worked in his father's blacksmith shop there and on
farms in that vicinity until 1844, when he returned to New Mil-
ford and followed his trade there six years, thence to Southford,
Conn. He worked in an edge-tool manufactory there one year ;
in a machine shop one year, and in 1852 went to Woodbury, Conn.
In 1854 he came to Floyd County, la., and returned to Connecti-
cut the same year. He worked in a paper-mill at Wolcott two
years, and in 1861 came to Nora Springs, la. He farmed in this
township thirteen years, and is now engaged in the mercantile
business — a member of the firm of Gay lord & Bryan. He is a
popular merchant, and is known throughout the county as a man
of irreproachable business integrity. He was married in 1839 to
Charlotte A. Johnson, who died Nov. 6, 1874, leaving two
children — Ellen L., now Mrs. J. K. Rupert, of Charles City, and
Marion, wife of Chas. E. Brown of Norwalk, Conn. Mr. Gay lord
has filled many offices of trust, with credit to himself and the
satisfaction of his constituents. He is a Methodist in his religions
faith.
Zyman Oaylord came here from Litchfield County, Conn., in the
fall of 1866, and settled on section 8, where he now resides. He
is the eldest of five brothers living in this neighborhood. He has
a good farm, a fine brick dwelling, and substantial outbuildings.
He is a man of remarkable energy, and at his advanced age to-day
does more hard work than most of the young men who call them-
selves smart. He is one of the few who can't endure rest, and one
of the kind who will wear out instead of rusting away. He is
out of debt, and has laid up enough for the '* rainy day." He has
a fine young orchard and an abundance of good timber. His sons
are — John G. and Earl L. His daughters — Eliza, now Mrs.
Wm. B. Reed, and Emily, now Mrs. Nick F. Weber, attorney at
law at Clarion, Wright County, Iowa. His daughter Sarah, a
child about seven years old, died in 1861. In politics he is a
Republican. In religion, a Second Advendst.
Wm. H. Oonser was bom in Knox County, Ohio, March 16,
1847. His father, Henry Gonser, died when he was quite small,
and his mother married William Workman. In 1866 the family
came to Floyd County. Wm. H. engaged in farming in Nora
Springs till 1870, when he was engaged as a clerk in the stores
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<^^.
t 968 HISTORT OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
\ ^,^^ here, which continued till the spring of 1882, when he went into
^^ business for himself in a grocery, crockery, etc., store, aud is hav-
ing a good trade. He was married in 1876 to Sarah, daughter of
Wm. F. Stewart, of Nora Springs. Mr. Qonser is a member of
the Masonic, I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. societies.
David Sardmcm (deceased) was bom in Montgomery County, O.,
May 24, 1817. His parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., in
1818, and to St. Joseph County, Ind., in 1832. He was married
March 29, 1840, to Melinda Eoe, of Wayne County, Ind. He
went to Delaware County, la., in the fall of 1851, and came to this
county in April, 1863, where he entered 160 acres of land on sec-
tions 20 and 21, Eock Grove Township, and was engaged in farm-
ing and stock-raising. He was the father of twelve children, ten
living — Israel A., Noah W., Francis J., Vina A., Henry F.,
David A., John W., Jennie M., Ida F., and George R Mr.
Hardman died April 17, 1882. His son, George R., is carrying
on the farm.
Oeo, A. Heintzehnan was born in Centre Coumty, Pa., Jan. 23,
1836. His father, George Heintzelman, was a native of Union
County, Pa.; his great-grandfather came from Holland about the
same time as William Penn. He was reared on a farm, and his
early education was comparatively limited. He removed to Will
County, 111., in 1854, and in 1860 went to St. Genevieve County,
Mo. June 16, 1861, while cutting wheat in the field, he was
drafted into the rebel army. He made the officers believe it was
all right, but asked permission to finish his wheat, which was
granted. That night he signalled a boat and escaped, going to
St. Louis ; he then bought a ticket for Red Wing, Minn., but was
robbed on the wharf; then stopped at Fulton, 111., and worked in
the harvest-field one month, and enlisted in Company K, Eighth
Illinois Cavalry ; was in the charge of Yorktown, Williamsburg,
seven days' fight at Richmond, second Bull Run, South Mountain,
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Upperville, Gettys-
burg, Falling Water, and others. After the war he went to Plain-
field, 111., and in 1867 went to Newton, Jasper County, la.; thence
to St. Genevieve County, Mo., in 1870, and in 1873 came to Nora
Springs, Rock Grove Township. He is by trade a contractor and
mason. He was married May 18, 1866, to Cynthia Culver. They
had two children — Harley E. and Effie C. Mrs. Heintzelman
died in Marshfield, Mo., and in 1875 Mr. Heintzelman married
Sarah Lewis. They have two children — Lulu and Willie. He
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BOOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 969
was a member of the I. O. O. F., K. P. (in Missouri), A. O. U. W.,
and the Grand Army of the Republic.
David A. Hoely farmer and stock-raiser, was bom in Iroquois,
111., Jan. 8, 1850. His father, James Hoel, is a native of Indi-
ana, who moved to Bremer County, la., in 1856, and to this county
in 1868, and is still living in Rudd. David A. received his edu-
cation in the common-schools of Bremer and Floyd Counties. He
was married March 24, 1874, to Katie Howard, of Wisconsin.
They have had three children, two living — Sydney and Alfred.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoel are both members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Rudd. He is Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
He owns eighty acres of fine land.
F. M. Hubhard, of the firm of F. M. Hubbard & Son, was
bom in Indiana in 1830. He was the sixth child of Dr. John and
Anna Hubbard, who were early pioneers from Massachusetts and
Vermont to Western New York, and from thereto Indiana, thence
to Illinois in 1836, while Indians still occupied that country. Dr.
John Hubbard was a graduate of Williams College, Mass., a son of
Major John Hubbard, of Revolutionary tame. F. M. Hubbard
spent his boyhood days in Cook County, 111., until he was twenty
years old; then, in 1850, crossed the plains to California, where he
stayed until 1854, when he returned to Illinois, studied medicine,
and graduated in New York City in 1856. In the same year he was
married to Ilattie £. Burbank, of Lancaster, Mass., who was the
daughter of Aaron and Chloe Burbank. Aaron Burbank was a
Baptist minister and graduate of Waterville College, Me. F. M.
Hubbard engaged in the practice of medicine at Janesville, Wis.,
in 1856, but soon abandoned that, and engaged in the patent ri^t
business, taking out five patents for inventions while in the busi-
ness at Ripon, Wis. In 1869 he came to Nora^Springs, and has
since been engaged in various occupations here, but mostly in the
mercantile business. They have four children living — Myra Alice,
bom in 1858; George Melville, in 1860; Charles Henry, in 1864;
Jason Condon, in 1867, and two dead. George M. is a member
of the present firm of F. M. Hubbard & Son, dealers in drugs,
jewelry, groceries, music, etc. Also publishers of the Advertiser^
a little sheet issued weekly (first number July 4, 1882), to repre-
sent the interests of Nora Springci and its business men.
EU M, Hatohinson^ fanner and stock-raiser, northwest quarter
of section 26, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 7,
1838. His father, John B. Hutchinson, was a native of the same
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970 mSTOBY OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
county. He was reared on a farm, and was educated in the com-
mon-schools. He came to Oedar Rapids, la., in 1864, and to
Mitchell County in 1855, where he farmed near the Floyd County
line till 1873. He built a mill on Rock Creek in 1867. He came
to this township in 1873; owns 160 acres of finaland, besides some
timber. He was married Dec. 31, 1866, to Mary C, daughter of
Wm. G. Dadley (deceased), a native of Edgar County, 111. They
are the parents of six children, fire living — Minet A., Mira A.,
Hattie M., Lizzie M. and Floyd M. He was Postmaster of Meroa
Postoffice, Mitchell County, four years; Township Clerk, three
years; Assessor, one year; Township Treasurer, one year, and
has held other offices of trust in Mitchell County. He is a Master
Mason; is a member of Rock Creek Christian church, of which he
is an Elder. He served one year and a half in Company K,
Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and eight months in Company K,
Twelfth lowa^ Infantry; was in the battles of FortDe Rossa, PJeas-
ant Hill, La., Old Oak and others; was ninety days under fire at
one time, one-third of his brigade being killed and waunded at
Pleasant Hill.
Lather J. KeyM^ of the publishing firm of Keyes & Blythe,
editors of the Monitor^ is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y.,
born April 17, 1839. His father, Luther H. Keyes, was a native of
Massachusetts, and a carpenter. Luther J. learned his father's
trade in his youth, and worked at it five years. In 1854 he went
to Laporte, la., thence to De Kalb County, III., in 1856; two years
afterward went to Beloit, Wis., and in 1859 to Laona, 111. He
enlisted in 1861 in Company C, Fifty -fifth Vplanteer Infantry, and
served four years and four months, participating in all the battles
of his regiment. He entered the service as a private, and for
meritorious conduct was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Upon leaving the service he went to Waverly, la., and in 1875
left there and located in Nashua, la., and in the fall of that year
moved to Marble Rock. In the fall of 1877 he came to Nora
Springs, when he established the telephone system here; conducted
it four and one-half years, and in January, 1882, became a partner
in his present business as editor of the MonitoTy an entei^jrising
sheet devoted to interests of the order of I. O. O. F. He was
married Dec. 25, 1865, to Esther A. Lancaster, of Winnebago
County, 111.
John A. Kidney (deceased) was bom in Marcellus, Onondaga
County, N. T., Jan. 8, 1823, a son of Robert Kidney, a native of
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BOOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 971
Poaghkeepsie, N. T., who moved with his family to Cattarangas
Ooanty, that State, settling upon a farm. John A. was reared on a
farm and educated at the Springville Academy. He taught school
and followed the insurance business in his native State until the
fall of 1860, when he came West, locating in Dodge County, Wis.
He engaged in teaching there, and was married March 21, lb54, at
Lowell, Wis., to Waity A. Sweet. After his marriage he followed
the mercantile business in Markesan, Wis., two years, thence to
Winona County, Minn., in 1856, being among the earliest settlers
of that region, and suffering many of the privations and hardships
incident to pioneer life, engaging in farming there until 1865,
when he came to Hota Springs, and resided here until his death,
one of her most prominent and Aspected citizens. He owned a
fine farm near the town and much city property. He was very
conversant with law and practiced in the justice courts, and was
Justice of the Peace several yeai*s. He was a prominent member
of the Masonic fraternity, and was always ready with open
purse to subscribe to church and school funds. As a man of rare
social qualities, superior mental endowments, he had few superiors,
and in his death, which occurred April 9, 1880, Floyd County lost
an esteemed and honored citizen.
AJnah Rruppp was born in Otsego County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1803,
and went with his parents to Delaware County, N. Y., when quite
young; remained there till 1816 when they moved to McKean
County, Pa. Abiah Knapp worked at the lumber business a num-
ber of years in Pennsylvania, and in 1837 went to St. Clair County,
111., where he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade; went to
Bockford, 111., in 1840, and remained till 1858, when he came to
Floyd County, where he has since resided. He was married
Feb. 10, 1826, to Susan Mills. They have had eleven children,
seven of whom are living — Robert, Alex, Jane, Aurilla, Ann,
Miles and James. One son, Albert, died at Murfreesboro in the
late war. Mrs. Knapp died Sept. 6, 1876. April 12, 1877, Mr.
Knapp married Mrs. Pamela Sells, nee Nickerson.
Ja/raea A. Lathrop was bom in Burlington, Vt., Sept. 80, 1898.
His father, John Lathrop, also a native of the " Green Mountain"
State, died when James A. was ten years old, and he went to live
with an uncle, in Middlebury, Yt.; remained there three years and
then began to rely on his own resources. His early educational
advantages were limited; he can truly be called a self-educated and
self-made man. In 1850 he came West to Fond du Lac County,
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972 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Wi»., and worked a short time as a carpenter and joiner; then
worked in different parts of the State as a millwright, till 1855,
when he bought [land in Waupaca County, Wis., and located on
it, and erected a saw-mill; two years later he built a f^rist-mill in
partnership with Daniel Barnum. In 1859 he bought out Mr.
Barnum and sold one-fourth interest to his brother-in-law, William
West. They carried on the business together for two years when
Mr. Lathrop sold out and came to Rock Grove, where he owns a
fine farm of 130 acres on section 21. Mr. Lathrop was marrted in
June, 1865, to Bebecca Atkinson. They had one son — William.
In 1865 Mrs. Lathrop died, and in 1868 Mr. Lathrop married
Jennie Oapen. They have three children — Emma, Oharles and
Lena. He is a member of the Btptist church; is also a member of
the I. O. O. F.
John C. Linchayy farmer, section 25, was born near Darlington,
Canada West, Aug. 3, 1849. His parents moved to De Kalb County,
111., when he was quite small. He was educated there in the
common schools, his home being on a farm. He came to Floyd
County, la., in 1865. Jan. 12, 1876, he was married to Ann E.
Archard. They have two children — Maud and Mary. He was
Constable two years in Mitchell County, la.
James lla/r%hoill^ farmer and stock-raiser. Rock Grove Township,
was born in Canada East (or Quebec), Nov. 13, 1843. His father,
George Marshall, was a native of Yorkshire, England. James Mar-
shall's early life was spent on a farm, his educatian being received
in the common schools. He went to New York State in 1863,
from there to De Kalb County, 111., in 1864, to Black Hawk County,
la., in 1865, and to this county in 1874, where he settled on section
20, this township, and owns 160 acres of fine land. He was married
in October, 18Y3, to Josephine Forbes. They have three children
— Mary, William and Belle. He is a member of the I. O. O.F.
William Mathers^ postofBce Nora Springs, was born in Quebec,
Canada, Dec. 22, 1823. He is a son of Wolsey and Mary (Irwin)
Mathero, of the North of Ireland. They came to this country in
1820. William grew to manhood in Quebec. He was left an
orphan at the age of eight years, and thrown on his own resources
for a livelihood. He learned the trade of a harness-maker at the
age of ten. He went to Massachusetts in 1845, and from Martha's
Vineyard on a whaling voyage, one year ; was on the Brazilian
man-of-war "Constitution" one year, and on two or three other
vessels one year. In 1846, while out on the ocean, he saw a
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BOOK GBOVE TOWNSHIP. 973
school of sharks under the peak of Tennerief. On the passage
from Bio Janiero to England he saw a man flEill from the mizzon
top-sail-jard and killed. He saw the Spaniards and Portuguese
celebrate "Neptune shaving Greenhorns." They form a police,
who seize inexperienced men and go through a farcical shaving,
immersing the head of the victim in salt water. They pretend
that Neptune comes up the side of the boat out of the sea, and
does the shaving with a huge razor of hoop-iron. He fell over-
board once. He learned the Spanish and Portuguese languages,
and was employed as interpreter. In 1847 he was on the police
force in Liverpool seven or eight months. From there he went to
New Orleans, and worked at his trade, for the Government con-
tractors. In 1866 he came to this country and farmed for a while,
then worked at his trade, which he is still doing in Nora Springs.
He was married in Chicago in 1850 to Eliza Slee. They have had
twelve children,! nine living, seven boys and two girls. From
1853 to 1865 he lived in Boone County, 111.
E. W. MoNUt was born Sept. 11, 1831, near Rochester, N. Y.,
son of John and Julia (Chamberlain) McNitt. He received his
education at Beaver Dam, Wis., where his parents located when
he was very young. In 1857 he engaged in a mercantile business
in Otsego, Wis., which he continued in that place and Beaver
Dam until his removal to Floyd County in 1869. He settled at
Nora Springs, and engaged in the hardware business. He was
elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, serving one term, and also
held the ofBce of Mayor of Nora Springs, and at the time of his
death, which occurred Oct. 23, 1874, was a member of the Board
of Supervisors of Floyd County. He was married Jan. 1, 1856, to
Miss Bhoda Boutwell, of New York State. They had four
children — Clarence J., Anna B., Harrie L. and Allen R. Mr.
McNitt was a man of more than ordinary acquirements, and was
held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. He was a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
Elder Danid B. Mead is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y.,
bom in the town of Mentz, Sept. 14, 1817, a son of William
Mead, who was born near Newark, N. J. He was reared on a farm,
and educated in Wadsworth Academy and Granville College,
D., having moved to that State in 1833. He became a mem-
ber of the Baptist church at the age of eighteen, and five years
later commenced preaching in that faith. In 1845 he was given
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9Y4 HISTOEY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
charge of a church in Berrien County, Mich., where he remained
nntil 1854, then settled in Nora Springs, Floyd County, la., where
he has since resided, one of the most honored and esteemed citi-
zens of the town. He was united in marriage with Abigail W.
Ward on May 4, 1887, Of six children born of this union, five are
living — Giles W., Emma M., Eliza, Laura A., and William W.
His wife died March 11, 1876, and Oct. 1, 1877, he married
Mrs. Lucy J. Allen, widow of the late C. M. Allen. Mr. Mead
held the office of Justice of the Peace two yeara, and served as
County School Superintendent a short time. He performed the
ceremony for the first couple married in this county, the contract-
ing parties being John Henry and Julia A. Workman.
Cha/rU% IF. Jiorrisj farmer and stock-raiser, section 30, R>ck
Grove Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., Feb. 11,
1844. His £Either, Wm. Henry Morris, was also a native of the
same county. He received a common-school education; moved
with his parents to Putnam County, Ind., in 1864. He farmed
summers and worked at the shoemaker's trade winters for several
years. He came to Iowa in 1873, and settled in Oerro Gt)rdo
County, and in 1874 came to Floyd County and settled in this
township, where he still resides. He owns 160 acres in this town-
ship, forty acres in Cerro Gordo County and 100 acres in Mitchell
County. He was married in 1863, to Nancy M., daughter of
Joseph T. Eggers, of Indiana. They have two children, Mary F.,
and Mahal D.
Halvor NeUon^ proprietor of the Upper Ten Boiler Mills, for-
merly Upper Ten Merchant Mills, Nora Springs, was born in Nor-
way, and came to America, to Rock County, Wis., in 1845, and
from there to Clayton County, la., in 1848. He has seven chil-
dren— Nelson H., Peter, Henry, Anna, Barbara, Peer and Isabella
C. His mill is a stone structure four and a half stories high, with
a frame elevator and feed mill. Uses patent roller system and
makes first-class flour, doing both merchant and custom milling.
Has nine pair of rolls, two pair of middling stones, and two for
com and feed; has a capacity of 125 barrels daily.
Myron H, Nickeraoriy section 20; postoffice, Nora Springs;
was born in Chenango County, N. Y., March 28, 1831. He is a
son of Edgar M. Nickerson, a native of New York, but now a
resident of Humboldt County, la. Mr. Nickerson went to Linn
County, la., in 1851, from there to Jones County in 1855, and to
this county in 1865. He was married in December, 1853, to
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BOOK OBOVE TOWNSHIP. 975
Louisa, a danghter of James Snow. They ha^e had four children,
three Jiving — ^Arvine, Sarah and Ina. He has held the offices of
County Supervisor and Assessor the past eight years. Is a mem*
beroftheA.O. IT.W.
Harrison Fierce^ section 6, Rock Grove Township, was born in
Wayne County, K. Y., Sept. 1, 1834. His father, John Pierce «
was a native of Hampshire, England. Harrison Pierce was edu'
cated in the common schools of his native State till 1844, when
be came West, to Kenosha County, Wis., and in 1854 came to
Floyd County. He enlisted in the late war in the Third Iowa
liattery, light artillery, and served about four years; was in the
battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, etc. He owns 236 acres of fine land,
and is both farming and stock-raising. He married in April, 1876,
Mrs. Laura A. Wright, nee Fish, and has one child — Annie M.
Mrs. Pierce had one son — Afton L. Wright. Mr. Pierce is a
member of the A. O. IT. W. *
Rev. Edward G. F. Pribhenow^ was born in Prussia, Germany
April 8, 1839, where he remained till 1853, when he came to
America and to Milwaukee, Wis.; he moved to near Madison, Wis.,
n 1854, and to Mitchell County, la., in the spring of 1869. He
came to Floyd County in the fall of 1878, and settled on his present
farm when it was wild land. He owns 236 acres of fine land, and
is both farming and stock-raising. He was married Jan. 7, 1862,
to Mary G. Rinder. They have twelve children — Ferdinand,
Amanda, Richard, Julius, Alvina, William, Lydia, Albert, Eme-
line, John, Adda and ^ora. He is a member of the German
Methodist church.
Lewis D, Powersy one of the prominent citizens of Nora
Springs, was born in Geneva Township, Walworth County, Wis. ,
on March 20, 1837, a son of James B. Powers, a native of Maine.
He was reared on a farm, and his educational privileges were those
of the common schools. Ha came to Floyd County with his par-
ents in 1856, settling on a farm. He enlisted in 1861 in Company
I, Third Iowa Infantry, and served three years, participating in
many a hard-fought battle, among them those of Shiloh, Matta-
mora, and the siege of Vicksburg. Upon returning to Nora
Springs he engaged in general trading, and now does a general
mercantile business, carrying a full line of goods. He was mar-
ried Sept. 16, 1865, to Sophronia C. Daniels. They have one child
— Alice E. Mr. Powers has been elected to the offices of Town-
ship Clerk, Township Trustee, member of the School Board, and
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976
UISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
V
is at present Constable. He has ever been an able and efficient
officer, discharging his daties with credit to himself and the satis-
faction of his constituents.
Jo9iah G. Qumbtfy fiarmer and stock-raiser, section 12, Rock
Grove Township, a son of James Quinby, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, was born in Stark County, O., July 20, 1836. They went
to Jasper County, Ind., in 1845, and in the fall of 1865 Mr. Quinby
came to this county, and settled in Ulster Township. He owns
441 acres of fine land, 160 acres of it in Cerro Gordo County, la.
He was married in August, 1857, to Edith Kanouse, a daughter
of John H. Kanouse, now of Kansas. They have seven children —
James, John, Charles, Eda, Nellie^ Elmer and Hattie. Mr. Quinby
was Township Trustee several terms.
Ifurray RohertSy farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, Kock
Grove Township, was bom in Winnebago County, 111., June 3,
185* He is a son of William W. Roberts, of Pennsylvania. He
came to this county with his parents in 1857, where his father died
in 1871. He received his education in Rock Grove Township. He
was married in December, 1879, to Eda A. Dean. They have one
child — William M. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance;
owns 120 acres of fine laud.
William W. RoberU (deceased) was born in Susquehanna County,
Pa., Jan 12, 1823. He was a son of Daniel and a grandson of
Jacob Roberts, who was six years of age at the time of the Wyo-
ming massacre, but he and his parents escaped just before and
went to Luzerne, Pa. William W. went to Winnebago County,
111., in 1850, and to this county in 1857, where he died March 16,
1872. He was married Oct. 5, 1847, to Fanny Roberts, also a
grandchild of Jacob Roberts. They were the parents of ten chil-
dren, seven living — ^Zina, Murray, Clara, Julia, Edwin, Ira and
Wilson. One son died March 22, 1872, at the age of seventeen.
Zina RobertSy eldest child of the preceding, was born in Susque-
.nna County, Pa., Dec. 27, 1848, and moved with parents to Win-
ebago County in 1850, and to this county in 1857. Has taught
school eight winters, but is at present engaged in farming and
stock-raising. He owns 120 acres on section 22.
William G. Rohidon^ farmer and stock-raiser, born in Knox
County, Ohio, March 31, 1828, is a son of Isaac Robison, of the
same State. He was educated in the common and subscription
schools of an early day. He came to Warren County, Iowa, in
1864, and to this county in 1868. He now owns 159 acres of
rvNO^^
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BOOK GROVE TOWNSHIP. 977
fine land. He was married Oct 20, 1859, to Mary M. Gonser.
They have ten children — Emma A., Ida J., Ella L., Tena M., Mary
E., Martha M., Mabel B., George W., Eddie and Burnett. He is
a member of the German Baptist church of Eudd.
Sa/nry B. Shaw^ a native of Licking County, Ohio, was born
Sept. 19, 1838. He remained there and in Delaware County until
1852, when he came overland to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk
Connty, where he engaged in farming until 1861. Upon the
breaking out of the Bebellion, he was one of the first to offer
himself on the altar of his country's honor. He became a member
of Company I, of the Third Iowa Infantry, commanded by Colonel,
now General, M. M.Trumbull, and was in many a hard-fought battle.
At the battle of Hatchie Eiver he was severely wounded and made
a cripple for life, receiving a cannister shot through the left breast,
just above the heart. He now carries a withered hand as an
evidence of the part he performed in that memorable conflict.
Recovering partially from the wounds, he again re-enlisted in the
Veteran Eeserve Corps, and remained in the service until May,
1865, when he was honorably discharged, having been in the
service three and a half years. In February, 1870, he located in
Nora Springs, wliere he engaged as clerk, and traveling, until
1875, and since that time has been manager of the Spencer House,
and conducts a real estate and insurance business. He was
married in 1870, to Emma G. S. Spencer, an estimable woman,
and a daughter of the late W. G. Spencer (deceased), formerly
proprietor of the Spencer House. A sketch of him will be found
elsewhere in this work. Four children have blessed this union,
viz. : Willie (deceased), Eobert (deceased), Lelia E. S. and Bessie
M. Mr. Shaw is a quiet, agreeable man, and possessed of much
more than ordinary acquirements. He is a prominent member of
the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and I. O. G. T. fraternities, and
politically he favors the Eepublican party. In religious faith he is
a Congregationalist.
William G. Spencer (deceased) was born in Westmoreland, N. Y.,
on June 3, 1813, a son of A. Spencer. He left his native town in
1834 and came West, locating in Chicago, 111., thence in 1836 to
Ogle County, that State. He was married there in 1839 to Eliza-
beth A. Marshall, and in the same year moved to Eockford, 111.,
and, after residing in various localities, he settled in Nora Springs
in 1869. He embarked in the furniture business here continuing
two years, and at that time built the Spencer House, which he
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978 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
owned and oondncted until his death, which occurred J une 16, 1881,
and sorrow fell upon many hearts when to the list of the dead was
added the name of this honest and upright man. Mr. and Mrs.
Spencer had a family of five children, two llYing— Olara A. and Emma
Q. One son, George M., aged twenty-seven years, was killed at
Menomonee, Wis., by flying timber while driving piles.
TTm. F. Stewart, born in Delaware County, N. Y., June 3,
1830, was a son of Alex. Stewart of the same county. He went with
his parents to Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1836, and to Rock-
ford, III, in 1844. In 1873 he came to Nora Springs, where he
sold goods, which has been his occupation since a boy. He was
married in the fall of 1852 to Amanda A. Williams and they have
had six children; four are living — William, James, Sarah and Frank.
Mrs. Stewart died July 18, 1882.
Augu9tu9 Stone, of the firm of Burgess & Stone, merchants, Nora
Springs, was born in Ottawa, Canada, Dec. 16, 1823. His parents
were Augustus Stone, Sr., a native of Connecticut, and Triphosa,
nee Cutter, of Vermont. He was reared on a farm and educated in
the schools of Canada, where he resided until 1844, then moved to
Winnebago County, 111. He remained there until 1856, when he
removed to Winnebago County, Wis.; thence to Nebraska in 1872.
In 1873 he came to Nora Springs, la., where he has since resided
and has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. He
is a good salesman, an honest man, active and accurate in his busi-
ness. He was married Mar. 28, 1850, to Miss Emily J. Wheeler,
a native of Massachusetts. He is a prominent member of the
Baptist church.
J. Edwin Sullivan, farmer and stock-raiser, section 8, Bock
Grove Township, was bom near Niles, St. Joseph County, Mich.,
July 31, 1844. His father was Thomas Sullivan, a natire of
Kentucky. J. Edwin came with his parents to Iowa in 1849,
and to this county in 1864. He was educated in the schools of
Nora Springs ; was married Dec. 18, 1873, to Electa G. Mont-
gomery. They have three children — ^Myrtie M., Charles Le Roy
and William A. He owns 100 acres of fine land. Is a member
of the I. O. O. F.
L. D, Sweet, section 31, Kock Grove Township, was bom Nov.
15, 1881, in Upper Canada. His father, John F. Sweet, a native
of New Fork State, came West to Dane County, Wis., in 1889.
and to Dodge County, Wis., in 1846. He was a mechanic, but
lived on a farm, at which L. D. Sweet has always worked. He
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ROCK GKOVB TOWNSHIP. 979
went to California in 1850, Jand returned in the fall of 1862 to
Lowell, Wis. He came to Floyd County, la., in the fall of 1865,
and settled on the farm where he still resides. He now owns 490
^res. He was married May, 1864, to Agnes H. Dogan. They
have three children — Lizzie E., Taylor E. and John F. Ho is a
member of the Baptist church, and is a Master Mason. He has
held several township oflSces.
Andrew B. Tredway^ banker and graia merchant, Nora Springs,
was bom in Richfield, Lucas County, O., Mar. 1, 1843, a son
of Stutley Tredway, a native of Allegany County, N. Y. His
father was a lumber merchant, and he engaged in that busi-
ness with him in Wisconsin, where the family had moved when
he was but three months old, until 1858, and in 1860 entered the
employ of a grain firm in Lowell, Wis., with whom he remained
four years. He served as Orderly Sergeant in Company C, Fifty-
first Wiiiconsin Volunteers, from, 1864 to 1865, and at the close of
the war went to North McGregor, la., where he engaged as gen-
eral manager and salesman of Seley & Shaw's wholesale lumber
yard until 1869. Tlien purchased a yard at Pottsville, la., which
he conducted till the fall of 1871. He came to Nora Springs in
September of that year, embarking in the grain business here,
and in 1877 built an elevator and feed mill, with a storage capacity
of 15,000 bushels. In 1879 he added a banking business, which ,
he has successfully operated since. He was married Jan. 1, 1868,
to Josephine M. Sweet, of Lowell, Wis. Of four children born
■ unto them two are living — Stutley W. and Everett M. Mr. Tred-
well is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace of Nora
Springs, and was Mayor one year. He is an enterprising business
man, and a prominent citizen of Floyd County.
Da/nid A. WhedeTy one of the prominent citizens of Nora
Springs, was a son of Daniel Wheeler, Sr., a native of Massachusetts,
who moved to New York State about 1835, and to Sheboygan
Wis., in 1844. Daniel A. was bom in Chenango County, N. Y.,
Feb. 16, 1840, and was reared and educated in Sheboygan. In
1860 he accepted a clerkship in a law office at Council Bluffs,
remaining there two years, and in 1862 he went to Central City,
Col., where he engaged in mining six years. He returned to Wis-
consin in 1868 and embarked in the grocery business at Omro, con-
tinuing until 1872, and in that year he located in Nora Springs.
He has been engaged in the lumber business since coming here,
and has built up an extensive and lucrative trade. He is a popular
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^80 mSTOEY OF FLOYD OOXTNTY.
merchant, and is known throaghont the countj as a man of irre-
proachable business integrity. He was married in 1871 to Jose-
phine Packard, an estimable lady, of superior social and mental
qualities. They have had four children — Mary, Frank, Hattie^
and Josephine. Mr. Wheeler gerved acceptably in the chair of
the Mayoralty and has held other local offices.
John W. WhUenell was born near St. Thomas, Canada, Aug. 23,
1849. His father, Daniel Whitesell, came to this place in 1852,
being the first settler. He carried a bushel of corn meal on
foot from Cedar Falls. His father, Aaron Whitesell, was a
native of Germany. Daniel Whitesell is now living in Brookins
County, D. T. The first school John W. attended was taught by
Hon. W. P. Gay lord, in an old log house. Their family lived in
a house with nofioor for nearly two years; the roof was made of
shakes, and not a nail used in the construction of the house. They
pounded corn with an iron wedge. When they came here they
had no money and were $5 in debt. Buffalo and deer roamed
over the prairies. He now owns 305 acres of fine land on section
20, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married
Sept. 4, 1879, to Flora A., daughter of Silas Walker, now of Vern-
dale, Minn.
William, Workmariy bom near Cumberland, Md., April 15, 1811,
is a son of Stephen Workman, who moved to Knox County, 0.,
in 1815, and died there, aged 101 years. Mr. Workman came to
Rock Grove in 1854, and purchased the place where he now
resides, on section 8, of Anthony Overacker. He was first married '
to Mary Baker and had seven children^ six living — Andrew J.,
Philip, Julia Ann (now Mrs. John Henry), Martha (now Mrs. Alex.
Hemphill), Sarah (now Mrs. Alfred Drury), and Catharine (now
Mrs. Joseph Shork). Mrs. Workman died in Ohio in 1854. In
1856 Mr. Workman went back to Ohio and Nov. 23 he changed
the name of Mrs. Gonser to Mrs. Workman. Mrs. Gonser had
eight children, five living— Lucinda, Mary M., Matilda, William
H. and Mahala. One daughter, Eliza, died at the age of nineteen.
In politics Mr. Workman is a Democrat. In religon he is a
German Baptist, being the head and front of that church in this
region.
JamuB Wyatt^ section 31, Rock Grove Township, born in Feb-
ruary, 1824, in Summersetshire, England, was a son of John Wyatt,
a native of the same place. James Wyatt was educated in Eng-
land, and came to the United States in 1849, going to Kenosha
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BOOK GEOVK TOWNSHIP.
981
Oounty, Wis,, and working on a farm till 1856, when he came to
Floyd County and settled on the farm where he still resides,
which was at that time wild land, and which he has bronght under
a fine state of caltivation. He was married Oct. 17, 1852, to
Elizabeth Price, a native of Dorsetshire, England. They had nine
children; eight are living — Charles B., Judson L., Josephine,
James W., John B., Harry, Dora and Estella. Mrs. Wyatt died in
January, 1876, and May 15, 1877, he married Mrs. L. Hammer.
She has one daughter — Blanche Hammer. Mr. Wyatt owns 187
acres of land,
years.
He has been Road
Japervisor for the past five
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RUDD TOWNSHIP.
We read of the beauties of Rocky Mountains' scenery, graph-
ically pictured by the pen of the tourist, of the canyons, gorges,
and rushing waters as they dash over the ledges; but the traveler
in search of nature need not pass the territory of Rudd Township
and vicinity to gratify the mind ol the most fastidious. None but
the lover of nature and nature's work can realize the true beauty
and grandeur of such a gentle, undulating prairie landscape as is
found in Rudd Township. The wild lilies with their orange blos-
somSjbedecking the green prairies from east to west, together with
the gorgeous prairie clovers, butter-snake root, compass plant,
bone-flower, golden rod, and various other plants and flowers, as
they wave and bend in the gentle breezes, form one grand pan-
oramic view of rare beauty and grandeur to the casual passer-by.
Then the numerous herds of cattle, grazing upon the sunny hill-
sides, give life and still more beauty to the picture. Interspersed
with these plats of wild prairies are vast fields of waving grain —
wheat, oats, rye, flax and corn, the staple products of the county.
OBGANIO.
Rudd Township was set off from Rock Grove and Floyd Town-
ships in 1870, and comprised its present territory, except the east
half of sections 12, 13 and 24, township 96, range 18, which was
Bet off from Rock Grove Township, and attached to this township
in June, 1874. It now contains thirty-six and a half square miles
of as beautiful and fertile prairie as can be found in the State
of Iowa. The township received its name from the village of
Rudd (see history of Rudd), located on sections 18 and 13 of this
township.
The first white settlers in the present limits of Rudd Township
were John B. Hemphill, William Dean, John Fox and Loomis
Oolson, all of whom located here in 1853, before the land came
into market. Hemphill and Colson located on section 18, Dean on
section 12, and Fox on section 19. Hemphill now resides on sec-
tion 18, being the only one of that number still living in the town-
ship. Dean resides on section 11, Rock Grove Township; Fox
(982)
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RUDD TOWNSHIP. J88
resides in Richardson County, Neb., near Middleburg, and Colsoii
16 somewhere in the State of Kansas.
Many were the hardships and privations of these pioneers.
Others soon followed and participated in these hardships; among
them is the popular and well-known D. S. Wood, for d tte of whose
settlement see his biography.
CBIMINAL.
On Aug. 20, 1859, an emigrant wagon passeJ through Rndd
Township, crossing Flood Creek at Bennett's Ford. Upon going
lo the creek for some water, Mrs. Bennett heard some cries, which
she supposed to be those of a kitten that her son had been trying
to drown the day before. She decided to hunt it up and release
it from the stone which had been tied to its neck; but upon find-
ing the supposed object ol her search, it proved to be a small
child. It had been thrown into the creek, and taken out for dead,
and hid in a pile of drift-wood. Mrs. Bennett took it quickly to
the house, and some of the citizens followed the emigrants, and
arrested them for murder. They were bound over to court» but
were finally acquitted from lack of evidence, save that which was .
circumstantial only.
It seems, from what the citizens tell us, that they evidently
meant to kill the child, and therefore hid it in the drift-wood.
They had also hid its clothes in a hollow log, which was more
strong evidence that they meant to murder it. The parties claimed,
however, that the child fell out of the wagon into the water, and
drowned before they could rescue it, and that the reason they put
it in the drift-wood was because they were poor, and could not
give it a respectable burial, and did not wish to trouble the citi-
zens. They were then allowed to pursue their course westward.
EUDD VILLAGE.
The village of Rudd (formerly Danville) was laid out and plat-
ted in the fall of 1869, by James Swartwood, who built the
Swartwood House and a warehouse the same fall. Mr. Swartwood
bought the first bushel of grain for shipment at Rudd about the
time of erecting the warehouse. Basset & Hunting also erected a
warehouse in '69, and George Hall erected one in the spring of
1870.
The first store was erected and kept by A. L. Plummer, in the
fall of 1869.
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984 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
In Februarj, 1870, N. Nienstedt built and established a store of
general mercliandising. He is still engaged in trade, and is doings
a large and lucrative business. The first blacksmith shop was
bnilt by A. J. Brundage, in the spring of 1870. The railroad
depot was erected in the fall of 1869. The first elevator in Rudd
was erected in the spring of 1878, by J. W. Dawson. It is now
owned and operated byE. F, Bacon. Its dimensions are 34 x 84
feet, 34 feet high, and has a capacity of 20,000 basliels.
Basset, Hunting & Co. built an elevator in July, 1878; on the
11th of March, 1880, it burned, also the other warehouse burned.
Basset & Hunting rebuilt in July of the same year. The dimen-
sions of the present elevator are 24x24 feet, and has a capacity of
10,000 bushels.
Rudd now contains two general stores, two blacksmith shops,
one wagon shop, one hotel, one harness shop, two meat markets,
one physican, one shoe shop, one barber shop and one saloon. It
is a beautiful little village, and situated on the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul R. R. The postoffice was established at Rudd soon
after the laying out of the town, the one at Flood Greek having
been discontinued in 1859.
NAMB.
The original name of the village waa Danvilie, but was after-
ward changed to Rudd, in honor of one of the directors of the C, M.
& St. P. R. R. This gentleman insisted upon the place being
called after him, and offered as an inducement the bequest of
$1,000 to the first church organization at that place. Two
ehurches have been duly organized, and he has disgraced himself
by squarely breaking his promise; and when the matter is men-
tioned to him, he puts on a dignified air and says he remembers
nothing about such a promise. This mean, cowardly act should
\e portrayed in its true light, and handed down to future ages, so
that all generations that shall live in RuJd in the ages to come
will be conversant with the manner in which their ^-burg"
received her present name.
At the first election held in 1870, the following oflicers were
elected : Trustees, J. W. Elliott, A. S. Hubbard, Ed. Elliott;
Olerk, J. W. Elliott; Assessor, James Swartwood; Collector, D.
O. Jeralds; Justices, D. L. Wood, James Connor; Constables,
G. D. Clark, Geo. Elliott.
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RUDD TOWNSHIP. 985
The present oflScers are: Trustees, G. B. Haney, G. W. Brun-
dage, B. F. Shipley; Clerk, C. P. Turner; Assessor, E. H. Willett;
Justices, D. S. Wood, L. P. Miner, D. K. Moore; Constable, J*
D. Clark.
AN IRON BRIDGE
was built across Flood Creek at the village of Rndd in 1872,
which is a master-piece of skill and labor.
EDUCATIONAL. *
The educational system of Eudd is up with the time. There is
at the place a fine large school building 60 x 30 feet, 22 feet high,
with a hall on the second floor. The first school in the present
house was taught by Daniel W. Adron, assisted by Miss May
Hyde. There are five other school buildings in the township.
The first school-house in the township was built in 1863, oh
John Hemphill's' land, by Alex. Hemphill, a half mile north of
the present village. Previous to that year, the children in that
vicinity were sent to the school in what is now Eock Grove Town-
ship, to a house near Widow Toothmau's.
RELIGIOUS.
The lirst Baptist Church of Eudd was organized July 18,
1878, with nine constituent members, by Eev. Dr. M. E. Arkills,
who has been its pastor until the present time. The names of the
original members are as follows: M. E. Arkills, Eachel A.
ArkiHs, Sarah L. Arkills, Alice A. Arkills, Katie J. Clark, Ellen
Patterson, E. E. Turner, Frances Turner and May Turner. At
present the membership numbers thirty-three. There have been
twenty accessions by baptism, and eleven by letter and experience.
Services twice each month in the Eudd school hall.
The Methodist Episcopal class at Eudd was organized in 1869.
They, too, worship in the Eudd school hall. The other statistics
of this church we have not been able to obtain.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Rev, Moses K Arkills, M, />., was born in Ulster County, N. Y.,
Jan. 7. 1826. He is a son of Nathaniel S. Arkills, a native of
Sullivan County, N. Y., who moved to Tompkins County, N. Y.,
in 1836. He was ordained as a minister in the Baptist church Nov.
26, 1858, in the West Danby church, l>y G W. Huntley. He has
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986 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
been a pastor of churches, with the exception of two years, since
that time. Id 1865 he went to Sycamore, 111.; in 1867, to Malta,
111.; in June, 1868, to Clarkson, la.; in January, 1869, to Fred-
ericksburg, la., wliere he remained pastor of the church till 187T,
when he came to Rudd. He read medicine and practiced under
Dr. Rufus Talmage, of Enfield, N. Y., from 1855 to 1858 ; and
under Dn Benedict, of Havana, N T., for two years. He has
built up a good practice here, and is pastor of the JJaptist church
in Rudd. He was manried Feb 2, 1852, to Rachel A. Bartlett.
They have six children — Willard B. , Jane A., Hattie, Sarah L.,
Alice A , and Lnlu M.
Elijah I^. Bacon^ Rudd, was born in Steuben County, N.Y.,
Aug. 21, 1830; is a son of Noah Bacon, who moved to Waukesha
County, Wis., in 1843. He came to Waverly, Iowa, in 1864, and
to Rudd in May, 1879, and bought the D.iwson elevator. He deals
in grain, live-stock and lumber, and is doing a good business. He
was married Sept. 30, 1855, to Adelaide S. Barker. They have
eight children — Lillian, Mary A., William F., Millie, Jeremiah
D., Freddie, Katie and Julius. He was a member of the I. O. O. F.
before coming here, but there is no order here.
Jesse Conner^ bom in Columbia County, Penn., in 1818, was a
son of John Conner of the Fame State. When he was quite small
his parents moved to Now York State, and ten years later to
Canada, where they both died. His mother was Sarah Lemon ;
her father was an extensive lumberman and farmer. In 1854 he
came West, to Dane County, Wis., '^H in 1864 came to this
county. There was no house west of lu , before reaching Flood
Creek. He was married in 1847, to Mary Pimlot, a native of
England. Of their eleven children, nine are living — Anna J.,
Belvedier, Mary, Hattie, Thos. F., Wm. J., John, Jesse and
Henry. He owns 360 acres on section 29, and is engaged in farm-
ing and stock-raising. He is a member of the Advent Christian
church.
Ea/rrhoii Eaton^ bom in Wyoming County, N. Y., May 11,
1844, is a son of Amasa Eaton, a native of Pennsylvania. He
moved to De Kalb County, III., in 1851:. He enlisted in 1861, in
Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, and served three years.
He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga,
Lookout Mc untain, Resaca, Atlanta, and others. Since the war he
has been engaged in farming. In 1868 he went to Mitchell County,
la.; he bought land in this county, on section 19, Rudd Township,
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RUDD TOWN8HIP. 98T
and in 1870 came here and settled on it, and still makes it bis
home. He owns 127 acres of fine land, and is en^^aged in botk
farming and stock-raising, lie was married in 1867 to Eliza Gar-
bert. Of their six children, five are living — Ida, Albert, MyrtiUa,
Willie and George. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Edwa/rd Elliott^ born in Livingston County, N. Y., June 28,
1837, is a son of Thomas Elliott, who moved with his family to
Washington County, Wis., in 1846. In 1866 he came to this
county, where he owns 337 acres of land. He resides on section
34, Budd Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
He has been Assessor two terms. He is a member of the Christian
church, which holds services each Sabbath at the King School-
house.
Oeo. Elliott^ son of Thomas Elliott, now of this township, was
born in Livingston County, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1840. He came West
with his parents and settled in Washington County, Wis., in 1845,
and in June, 1865, came to this county, where he owns 120 acres
of fine land on section 32, Budd Township, and is engaged in
farming and * stock-raising. He was married Nov. 6, 1871, to
Lydia Smith. They have three children — Herbert, Edward and
Lydia E.
John W, Elliotty born in Washington County, Wis., Nov. 4,
1847, is a son of Thomas Elliott, a native of Ireland, who came to
America when young, and now resides in Budd Township. John
W. was educated in the Osage Seminary, and came with his
parents to this county in May, 1866. He was married June 18,
1880, to Emma A. Neville, a daughter of Elisha Gallup. They
have one child — Elsie. Mr. Elliott owns 160 acres on section 34,
Budd Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Mrs. Elliott owns 80 acres in Cedar Township. He has been
Township Clerk one year.
Wm. W, GutcheSy born near Chicago, Cook County, 111., Feb.
16, 1861, is a son of Morris Gutches, a native of New York, and
at present a resident of Floyd — this county. He went to Parkers-
burg, Iowa, in 1870, and in 1872 came to this county, where he
owns 660 acres of fine land. He is one of Floyd County's enter-
prising young men. His home is on section 86, Budd Township.
In September, 1872, he married Sarah Billings. They have three
children — Jennie, Ethel, and an infant boy.
John B. Hemphilly born in Clearfield, Clearfield County, Penn.,
Jan. 20, 1831, is a son of James Hemphill, and came West with
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988 HI8T0KT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
his father in 1848, and settled in Boone Oonntj, 111. In 1858 he
eame to JKudd (then Rock Grove) Township, where he now owns
240 acres of fine land, on section 13, and is engaged in farming
and stock-raising. When he came here it was all wild prairie, the
nearest neighbor being at Rock Grove, five miles away. He
took his wheat to McGregor, 100 miles away, and sold it for
less than half a dollar per bushel. A few elk and buffalo and
droves of deer, roamed over the prairie. Mr. Hemphill, Wm.
Dean, John Fox, and Loomis Oolson all settled in the present
limits of this township in 1853. He was married July 4, 1852, to
Julia A. Dean, a sister of Wm. Dean, of Rock Grove Township.
They are the parents of seven children, six living — Mary L., Char-
lotte E., Frank E., John W., Edward W., and Dana E.; Walter
L. is deceased. He served his township as Assessor two years.
Jame9Hoel^ bom in Hamilton County, 0., March 14, 1822, is a
son of Aaron Hoel, who moved to Iroquois County, 111., in 1884,
and settled on the wild prairie. His school advantages were very
limited. He came to Bremer County, la., in 1876, and to this county
in 1868. He was married in March, 1846, to Alice Fleming. Of
their eight children six are living — William, David, James, Laura,
Mary and Etna. One daughter, Martha,the wife of Eli Griggs,
died at the age of twenty-two.
Robert King^ bom in Niagara, Canada West, Feb. 8, 1820, is a
son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Sanderson) King, the former a native
of Lower Canada and of French descent, and the latter of English
descent. In 1887 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and two weeks later
to Cleveland, then enlisted in the Patriot war and served two
months, when the army disbanded. In the spring of 1838 he
went to Lorain County, Ohio, and hired out to William Tillotson.
In 1889 he went to Schuyler County, Mo.; in 1844, to Iowa
County, Wis. ; in 1852 to Lawrence County, Mo., and in 1857 came
to Floyd County and settled in section 28, Rudd Township, where
he still resides. May 17, 1843, he married Charlotte M., daughter
of William Tillotson. Of their six children live are living — Ethan
A., Edgar D., William R., Frank T. and Ettie. One son died at
the age of one year. Mr. King has been Township Trustee three
years, and School Director several terms. He is a member of the
Christian church.
Oeorge Evrley^ born in Lewis County, N. T., Feb. 6, 1846, is a
•on of Michael Kirley, a native of Ireland, who came to America
when quite young. In 1856 Mr. Kirley moved to Cheboygan
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BUDD TOWNSHIP. 98^
County, Mich., and in 1865 came to this county. He is residing
on section 33, Rudd Township, where he owns seventy acres and ia
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married Dec. 30,
18Y3, to Bridget A. Casey, They have four children — Stephen M.^
William B., A^nes E. and Mary M. He was Justice of the Peace
two years. The family are members of the Catholic church.
Eben Z. MansHeldj bom in Waldo County, Me., in January,
1830, is a son of Daniel Mansfield, a native of Massachusetts.
His early education was received in the common school. He
came West in 1844: and settled in Franklin County, 111., and in
1855 came to this county, settling on a farm on section 13, Budd
Township. He was married in 1858 to Angeline Dean, a sister of
William Dean, of Rock Grove Township. Of their five children
two are living — Ira M. and Julia M., now Mrs. Fox. One son,
Willie, died at the age of fourteen, and a daughter, Mary (Mrs.
Thomas), at the age of thirty.
Lyman P. Miner ^ a son of Jacob Miner, deceased, was bom in
Erie County, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1841, and went to Iowa County, Wis.,
in 1857. He enlisted in the late war in Company C, Thirty-first
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served three years, mostly on
detached service. In the fall of 1864 he joined Sherman and went
with him to the sea. After the war he went to Rock County, Wis.,
and in the spring of 1872 he came to this county. He owns 160
acres of fine land on section 34, Rudd Township, and is engaged in
fiarming and stock-raising. He was married Dec. 19, 1867, to
Mary M.Yates. They have two children — Cora A. and Lyman £•
He has been Justice of the Peace for the past six years; is a Mason.
Augustus Nienstedt^ merchant and Postmaster of Rudd, was
born in Goslar, Kingdom of Hanover (now Prussia), Germany,
Aug. 15, 1836. His father, Christopher Nienstedt, came to this
country, to New York City, in the spring of 1850, and his family
came a few months later. In 1856 became to Dubuque, Iowa, and
clerked in a furniture store eight years ; then worked at farming
four years, and then returned to tlie store and remained till 1870,
when he came to Rudd and established a general store, which he
still runs, doing a business of $20,000 annually. He was appointed
Postmaster of Rndd Jan, 8, 1875. He was married Dec. 25, 1862,
to Wilhelmina Wunderlich. They have seven children — Bertha,
Clara, Minnie, George, Nellie, Augusta and Gertrude. He has
been School Treasurer of Rudd for the pnst ten years.
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990 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Henry A. Pa/yne^ son of ApoUos R. Pa^^ne, a native of Massa-
chusetts, and PoUj (Chandler) Payne, of New York State, was
born in Ashtabula Oountj, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1830. In 1852 he went
to Massachusetts, and in 1854 to Dane County, Wis. In the fall
of 1862 he came to this county, and is engaged in farming and
stock-raising on section 21, Budd Township. In June, 1857, he
was married to Mrs. Jane Naylor, a daughter of George Pimlott.
She was a native of England, and came to Canada when sixteen
years old. The first summer they were here, the Indian troubles
occurred in Minnesota. Mrs. Payne had many scares. At one
time she was left alone seven days and nights, while Mr. Payne
went to McGregor with wheat. It was all wild prairie, the near-
est neighbor being a mile and a half distant. Mr. Payne is said
to be the largest man in the county.
Frank Sherwin^ section 21 ; postoffice, Osage ; was born in Ou-
tagamie CouQty, Wis., in June, 1852. He is a son of Herman
Sherwin, a native of New York, now of Spriugvale, Wis., born^
Sept. 4, 1820. He is a prominent man in Wisconsin. His portrait
will be found in the History of Fond du Lac County. His wife's
maiden name was Sarah D. Coddington. Frank Sherwin came to
this county in the spring of 1875. He owns 80 acres of tine land
and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in
March, 1875, to Clara Elliott. They have three children — Frank
E., Howard H. and Ralph L.
Henry Summers^ born in Canada East, Sept. 7, 1849, is a son of
William Summers, a native of England, who moved to Clinton
County. N. T., in 1851. His early life was spent on a farm, and
his education received in the common schools. He came to Cal-
mar, la., in 1868; to Fort Atkinson, la., in 1869, and to Rudd in
1876. He was engaged in the grain business in Fort Atkinson,
and has carried on the same business since coming to Rudd. He
now owns a one-half interest in the elevator of Basset, Hunting
& Co., of Rudd. He was married May 25, 1875, to Matilda
Krumm, of Fort Atkinson. They have one child — Cleone.
James Swa/rtwood^ born in Newfield, Tompkins County, N. Y.,
June 21, 1822^ is a son of Dane B. Swartwood, of Wilkesbarre,
Penn. He spent his early boyhood days on a farm, and was
educated at the Homer and Groton academies; then read law and
was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, New York, in 1844, and prac-
ticed two years. In 1849 he came West, and went to Fond du Lao,
Wis.; in 1858, removed to Sycamore, 111., and in September, 1864,
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BtTDD TOWNSHIP. 991
came to Rndd, and the following April brought family here. He
originallj owned the entire town site of Ra Id, which he laid oat
in 1869. He gave one half of it to the railroad company. He
was married Jan. 1, 18^18, to Panlina E. Adams. They hava had
eight children, two living — Isabel and Anna 0. One daughter,
Myra C, died at the age of twenty-seven. He has held the offices
of Assessor, has been Jnstice of the Peace several years, and
County Supervisor three years.
Ole Tostenrud^ farmer and stock-raiser, section 20j Rudd
Township, was born in Norway, July 22, 1866; his father, Lars
Tostenrud, brought his family to America, and settled in Iowa, in
1860, and in 1867 came to this county. There were six children in
his father's family, four living — Ohristia, Ole, Laura and Emma.
Mary and Helen are deceased. Mr. Tostenrud owns eighty acres of
fine land; his parents make their home with him.
Eufm R. lurnsr^ born near Utica, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1817, is a
son of William Turner, of the same place. He went to White
Water, Wis.; Jackson County, Wis., and Boone County, 111., and
finally, in 1876, to Rudd Township, and settled on the farm of forty
acres, on section 10, where he still resides, engaged in farming and
stock-raising. He was married Jan. 13, 1848, to Mrs. Frances R.
Knight, widow of Augu8tu3 Knight, and daughter of James Ham-
mond. Of their five children, four are living — William R.,
Nelson E., James A. and May A. Mrs. Turner had two children
by her former marriage — Cynthia M. and Henry B. Knight. They
are members of the Baptist church.
Aaron B, West, a son of Simeon West, was born in Bradford
County, Penn., Jan. 6, 1827. He went to Waukesha County,
Wis., in 1849; to McGregor, Iowa, in 1862, and came to this
county in 1870. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on
section 28, Rudd Township. He was married April 18, 1847, to
Mrs. Sarah GoflF, a daughter of Wm. Knox. They had six chil-
dren— Wm. M., Chas. W., Milton W., Alice A., John A. and
Sarah E. Mrs. West died Aug. 11, 1876, and Dec. 19, 1876, Mr.
West married Mrs. Jane Elliott, widow of Wra. Elliott, and
daughter of Mr. Webb. She had six children by her former mar-
riage, three living — Eliza J., Mary A. and Arnilda. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
David S. Woody born in Upper Canada, March 29, 1827, is a
son of Joseph Wood, a native of New Jersey, who c-ime West and
settled in Boone County, 111., in 1842. In 1851 he came to Cedar
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993 HISTORY OF FLOl D COUNTY.
County, Iowa, and in 1864: came to this county, and selected land
where he still resides, on section 18, township 96, range 17. When
he came here it was wild prairie land, inhabited by deer and
wolves, but he Has changed it to a finely cultivated farm. He
owns 182 acres, and is engaged in both farming and stock-raising.
He was married Feb. 22, 1864:, to Harriet E. Thomas. They are
the parents of six children, three living — George H., Ada E. and
Delos W. One son, Adelbert, died at the age of fifteen; another,
Charlie, at the age of seven, and a daughter, Hattie, aged six
months. He has been Justice of the Peace, except for a short
time, for the past eighteen years; has held the oflSce of County
Supervisor for the past throe years; is now serving the second
term.
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
Scott Township was detached from Union in June, 1861, and
<omprised congressional township 91 north, of range 18 west,
and the sonth tier of sections in congressional township 95 north,
^f range 18 west, and has never been changed.
TOPOGBAPHIOAL.
There is a peculiar, instinctive characteristic of man, which
seems to 18ad him, as it were unconsciously and imperceptibly,
in the footsteps of progress, and direct him to locate in that part of
an unsettled country which is destined to become, in the near future,
:« beautiful and fertile township. It is probably to be attriduted
to this innate feature of finite man that Scott Township has the
many prosperous farmers of to-day. Taken as a whole there can
ficarcely be more desirable land in the county than this town-
ship. Here everything exists in abundance, and the country is
richly embellished with the beauties of nature, and, all in all, it
seems to be one grand and lovely combination of the several varie-
ties of pure prairie land and of art in which the former largely pre-
•dominates; for civilize the country all you may, improve it all you
-<5an, and then bring to bear upon it the inventions wrought out by
all the skill and ingenuity of man, then compare its condition
with what it was in its early pristine state, when the land was run
-over by the red man's ponies, and the prairies were covered with
tall, waving grass, with its green, flowery carpet, its undalating
surface, interspersed here and there with wild flowers which sent
forth their sweet perfumes as a presentiment of the coming future,
— do all of this, and you will find the conditions incomparable to
^ the busy scenes of Scott's more densely populated sister townships,
with her own rural simplicity; of the two the former one would
gradually fade away like the rays of the setting sun. But no com-
mendatory notice can do justice to the rural beauty of Scott Town-
-ship. Scott Township embraces a territory of forty-two square
miles, principally prairie, and but little timber, that being on the
northeast corner of sections 35 and 36, of 95 N., 18 TV., and sec-
ion 1,' of 94 N., 18 W., or those sections that are intersected by
(998)
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*d4 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
the waters of Shell Bock River. The land throughout the town-
ship is peculiarly rich, and adapted to com, small grain and dairy-
ing. It is watered bj two small creeks, besides Shell Rock Riyer,
running easterly across the township, emptying into Shell Rock at
points in Union Township. Cold Water Creek touches the two
•outhwest sections of 94 N., 18 W., passing out of the county on
the land owned by B. S. Oilman. On section 16 is quite a large
fossil deposit, petrified shells and bones being found inside of the
limestone and other small stones. The land bordering the Shell
Rock resembles the intervales of the Connecticut River as to the
''lay," and, from the farm of the Montrose's, presents a wonder,
fully striking landscape.
ELEOnONAL AND OFFICIAL. #
The first election held in the township was in April, 1861, but by
some unknown, and probably excusable, reason the oflBcial records
were never handed in to at least three of the township clerks
in the past, and Mr. Oaks, the present Township Clerk, hence the
impossibility to give much early electional and official records.
The assessor's list for 1866, the earliest record extant, gives the
following persons assessed: Wm. O. Crumb, Egbert Davis, N. P.
Inman, Samuel Kinney, N. J. Lee, E. E. Mott, Job Randall,
Daniel Shook, C. A. Crumb, Absalom Gleason, Joseph Daniels^
J. Kelsey, Hiram Losee, Milton Rowland, Isaac Sharp and I. H.
Tree.
The same year the live-stock assessed and total value is as
follows:
Eighty-three heads of cattle, valued at $1,440; eighty-nine sheep,
valued at $178; twenty-four hogs, valued at $34; thirty-one horses,
whose value was estimated to be $1,655. Total value of live-stock
in township, $3,307. The present valuation is: Cattle, 1,106,
value $7,760; horses, 459, value, $10,583; asses, 3, value $80;
sheep, 163, value $121; swine, 1,290, value $1,537.
ASSS8S0RS.
Since 1873 the following persons have been regularly elected
Assessors: J. A. Rex, 1873 and '74; Seth M. Blood, 1875; Frank
D. Burlingame, 1876; T. W. Nicholson, 1877-'78; F. D. Bur-
lingame, 1879-'80, and is the present incumbent.
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8C0TT TOWNSHIP. 995
Ojrus H. Oakes has been annually elected TownBhip Olerk
since 1873; also as a member of the County Board of Supervisors
since 1875, serving now his third term.
The Trustees of the township since 1869, with the exception of
two years, have been as follows:
1869.— Uriah S. Waist, William Galbraith, Samuel Kenny.
1870. — E. D. Montrose, Samuel Kenny, Wm. Galbraith.
1878. — I. B. Schermerhorn, Blair Barney, E. D. Montrose.
1874. — Blair Barney, E. D. Montrose, A. J. Donney.
1876. — Jacob A. Rex\ George Schultz, Samuel Kinney.
1876. — Blair Barney, Isaac Sharp, August Mauch.
1877. — Blair Barney, August Mauch, J. A. Barnum.
1878. — Blair Barney (one year), Isaac Sharp (two years), August
Mauch (three years). Note: The change in the election, one trustee
to serve three years, electing one each year, necessitated one of the
three to withdraw. It was pleasantly decided by drawing lots,
and decided as above years indicate.
1879.— J. P. Miller.
1880.— Geo. Schultz.
1881.— H. Mauch;
The following is the number of polls cast at each October elec-
tion since 1873:
TSAB. BLEOTORS. YBAB. BLEGTOBS.
1878 60
1874 :..64
1875 74
1876 77
1877 62
1878 78
1879 : 100
1880 94
1881 101
The earliest Road Supervisors that we have record of were: D.
W. Cornish and Henry Eads. The present ones are: C. J. Bick-
ford, Thomas Garber, James Galbraith, J. W. Nicholson, G. L.
Brown, Charles Dean, A. J. Esser, and B. S. Gilman.
SDUOATIONAL.
The Secretary's record shows the following as the first minutes:
**FirBt meeting was called to order by H. Losee, on motion of N.
P. Inman. Yoted to raise one-half mill on the dollar for school
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996 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
purposes; also to leave repairiDgof school-hoase to Board of Direct,
ors. Wm. O. Crumb, President; E, Davis, Treasurer; H. Losee,
Secretary. "
" April 23, 1864. — A motion that A. Gleason be appointed a
committee of one to settle school matters with Union Township.
Carried."
'^ Motion: That Scott has seven months' school. Carried."
The following September a meeting was called. Among other
matters Wm. O. Crumb and Isaac Sharp were appointed a com-
mittee to see to finishing the school-house. The following January,
1865, H. Losee and William O. Crumb were appointed a com-
mittee to investigate the " dues " of Scott Township. There was
an unimportant meeting the 16th of March, and another the
26th. During this year (1865) Joel Lee, H. Losee were chosen
Sub-Directors for districts 1 and 2. One mill on the dollar was
raised as contingent fund; two mills on the dollar for teachers'
fund. One dollar was voted for a trip for each of the members of
the Board to Charles City; and one dollar to the Secretary for
recording minutes of each meeting.
The first record of teachers and schools are as follows, though
nndoubtedly the old log house and subscription schools comes in
long prior to this.
EABLY SOEIOOLS.
As the earlier records of the actioifs in the township territory,
now Scott, have been lost, or laid beyond the reach of the present
residents, but few facts regard inor the schools and their teachers
can be given as authentic. We have no positive record until later
than 1865, and it is unfair to suppose the settlers had no schools
in their midst before this. Schools were kept in those days by
crude systems, all over the county, and why not in 94 north, 18
west? And so we can give nothing better than a supposition
based on a description given the writer orally — not saying schools,
or teachers or its wanton rudeness existed there but the presump-
tion that it might.
FIBST SCHOOLS.
1865, Nov. 13. Sub-District No. 1. — ^Teacher, Laura Steams;
length of school, three months (sixty days); salary, $75; average
cost per pupil, 39 cents.
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" THE Htw YORK ""■
PUBLIC LIBRARY
A»TOR. fctXOX AND
J
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
999
1866, May 8. Sub-District No. 1.— Teacher, Lanra Stearns;
length of school, fonr months (eighty dajs); salary, $100; average
cost per pupil, 30 cents.
1866, Nov. 5. Sub-District No. 1.— Teacher, Carrie E. Waste;
length of school, four months (seventy- nine days); salary, $100;
average cost per pupil, 14 cents, 2 mills.
1867, Dec. 2. Sub-District No. 1.— Teacher, H. L. Weatherell;
length of school, four months (eighty days); salary, $88; aver-
age cost per pupil, 12 cents, 3 mills.
The enrollment, average attendance and teachers' names for
spring term of 1882 can be seen from the following table, from the
County Supeiintendent's report:
1
3
4
6
6
7,
8
17
18.7
16
9.8
20
14
18
11.8
19
16
15
12.7
14
11,3
NeUie 8. Merril.
Mrs. Baldwin.
Ella Comstock.
Blair Baraey.
Lucy Lorenz.
Dwight Merrick.
Jennie V. Reed.
We give the names of some of the sub-directors for different
years, to show the increase of sub-districts:
1866, March 12.— I. Sharp, Wm. O. Crumb, A. R. Blodgett
(September meeting).
1869, March 6.— Daniel Joseph, Milton Rowland, E. D.
Montrose.
1870, March 5. — E. D. Montrose, J. B. Schermerhorn, A. J-
Denney.
The present officers are: J. P. Miller, President; A. W.
Montrose, Secretary; J. B. Schermerhorn, Treasurer.
The Sub-Directors are: John Kreider, Samuel Kinney, J. P.
Miller, Geo. Shultz, W. E. Efner, B. Courtwright, J. J. Maxwell,
Andrew J. Esser.
There are eight large, copvenient and neat-looking school-houses
(20]x 30) to-day, which speaks well for the growth of the township.
(1
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1000 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
itELIGIOUS.
Scott Township, although having no church edifices, is well
supplied with religious teachings, and has been for a long while.
There has been, at different seasons, preaching in nearly every
school-house in the township — at least in Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8.
This summer there is preaching in Nos. 1, 6 and 7; and Sabbath-
schools in Nos. 2 and 7. Rev. Mr. Grumley, a Methodist preacher
from Oerro Grordo County, preaches Thursday evening every fort-
night, in Sub district School-house No. 6, and Friday evening in
No. 8. In No. 1, the Metliodist preacher from Rockwell preaches..
OTHER OBGANIZATIONS.
To while away the long winter evenings the citizens living within
Sub-district No. 5, have held lyceums. They have always be^n
quite well attended, the exercises beins^, in common with other
social gatherings of this nature, speaking, recitations, debates,
a paper, etc.
There was a grange organized in '73 or '74, with about twenty
charter members. It was in existence for about two years. 0. H.
Oaks was Master.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first township election was held in the Kinney School-
house, on section 11.
The first sermon was preached by Loral Inman, a resident of the
township, afterward of Rockford, and now deceased.
The first furrow turned over for earnest agricultural intentions
was on section 12, Charles Smith being the ^^ husbandman."
There is one township postoflSce named "Scott," established
about 1877, Mrs. Mary Waller, Postmistress, situated in the center
of the township.
The first forge was built by Uriah Tree, on section 2, 94 N., 18
W. He has since moved to Verndale, Minn., where many of
Floyd's oldest settlers immigrated a few years ago. A shop is now
run by P. Shaltz on the same section.
The first birth was that of a son to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sharp«
whom they named George.
One of the earliest Justices of the Peace was Edmont Rose.
The present gentlemen holding the office are J. B. Scherm'^rhorn
and O. L. Brown.
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 1001
The first marria^ within the limits of the towDship was Wm.
Down to Phebe Down. It was the immediate result of better
resolves, and a I'e-kindling of old loves — they having been married
and divorced previous to coming to Floyd County. " True love
never does run smoothly.''
The first death was that of the Riddle child, and the uncle, by
lightning, in June, 1855.
BIOGBAPHICAL.
Thomas Alexander was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Sept. 7,
1883. He left there in the fallof 1864, and went to Canada;
remained there until the fall of 1879, when he came to Floyd
County, Iowa, and settled on section 33, Scott Township, where he
still resides, engaged in farming, raising corn and stock. He has
320 acres of fine land. He was married in Ohio, Feb. 22, 1855, to
Catherine B. Atkinson. They had one child — John F., born Dec*
7, 1855. Mrs. Alexander died Oct. 15, 1857. He was married a
second time May 25, 1858, to Matilda Sparling. By this union
there wore three children — W. S., born Aug. 9, 1859; Agnes, Dec.
22, 1860, and Olivia J., Jan. 2, 1863. Mrs. Matilda Alexander
died Aug. 28, 1881. Politically, Mr. Alexander is a Democrat,
and in his religious belief is a Baptist.
T, J. Bamumy one of the prominent citizens of Scott Township,
was born in the State of New York, July 3, 1819. He was reared
and educated in his native State, and made it his home until 1861,
when he came West, and in the fall of 1867 settled in Winne-
shiek County, Iowa. He followed farming there four years, then
moved to Floyd County, settling on section 35, Scott Township,
where he owns 80 acres of finely cultivated land. He was married
in 1839, to Nancy Lewis, a native of the Green Mountain State,
born in 1 820. They have one child — Menard, born in New York
in 1845. In his political views Mr. Barnum is a Democrat.
G. L. Brovm was boru in Tompkins County, N. Y., Oct. 8,
1840. His parents moved to Pennsylvania when he was three
years old, and from there, fourteen years later, to Illinois. He
lived in Ogle and Winnebago counties. 111., till 1868, when he
came to Floyd County, Iowa, where he has since resided, following
the occupation of farming. He owns 240 acres of land, 160 in
Scott Township, Floyd County, and 80 acres adjoining, on section
1, Binnezette Township, Butler County. He raises both live-stock
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1002 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and grain. Politicallj, he is a Bepublican ; has held the office of
Jnsticeof the Peace eight yearp, and is Road Supervisor. He was
married in October, 1860, to Martha McNeill, a native of Winne-
bago County, III, born Nov. 17, 1844. They are the parents of
seven children — Charles E., born Nov. 16, 1861 ; Mary M., Dec.
26, 1863; Cora D., Feb. 20, 1866 ; Thomas H., Feb. 17, 1867;
JohnJ., March 9, 1869; George W., March 15, 1871; William
H., Aug. 16, 1873.
Benjamin Courtright was born in Monroe County, Penn., Aug. 2,
1826. He moved to Illinois in 1866, where he remained till 1874,
when he came to Floyd County, la.^ and settled on section 35,
Scott Township, where he has 160 acres of good, well-improved
land. His entire life, with the exception of one year spent in
Mendota, 111., has been spent in farming. He is neutral in his
political vie we, and has held the office of School Director. He was
married May 4, 1853, to Catharine Transue, a native of Monroe
County, Penn., born Aug. 24, 1830. They have eight children
— John, born Oct. 4, 1851; Anna E., March 5, 1853; Alice, April
26, 1858; Isaac, May 28, 1860; William A., March 3, 1862; Mary
M., March 5, 1864; Sabrina, Dec. 24, 1868. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Dexter W. Dean was born in De Bjilb County, 111., Nov. 17, 1856,
where he resided till 1881. He had previously made several visits
to Iowa, and at one time, 1865, remained some time. Finally, in
1881, he moved to Floyd County, and settled on section 27, Scott
Township, where he and Franklin Eeith own 650 acres of fine land
in partnership. He was married in Illinois, Juno 8, 1878, to
Phoebe Riddle, who was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 3, 1856. They
have one child — Ellsworth, born in Illinois, Nov. 14, 1879. Politi-
cally Mr. Dean is a Republican.
Daniel Dundklee^ one of the prominent farmers of Scott Town-
ship, was bom in the State of New Hampshire, June 22, 1829. His
father moved with his family to New York in 1841, and Daniel
resided there until 1856, when he came to Iowa. He located
in Freemont Township, Benton County, remaining there until
1878, when he came to Floyd County, and purchased eighty acres
of land on section 33, Scott Township, where he is at present
residing. His farm is under excellent imprvovement and well
stocked. He was married in 1866, to Elizabeth Stackhouse, who
was born in Illinois, April 6, 1840. Their union has been blessed
with two children — Ida Marian, born Dec. 11, 1866, and Almim,
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800TT TOWKSHIP. 1008
April 26, 1872. Mr. Duncklee is a member of the Ohriatian charch
and in politics he is a Kepublican.
E. W. Ellis is a native of Wales, born Jan. 23, 1839. He emi-
grated to America in 1856, landed at New York City, and from
there went to.Utica, where lie sp3nt two years. In 1867 lie moved
to Dubuque County, la., thence in September, 1873, to Sac County,
where he resided four and on^half years, and in 1877 came to
Floyd County. He owns a finely improved farm of 105 acres on
section 81, Scott Township, and is one of the prominent farmers
and stock-growers of the county. He married Charlotte Jeffry,
who was born on the Isle of Man, March 22, 1843. Iq May, 1861,
Mr. Ellis enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and
served three years, participating in many a hard-fought battle. He
served in the Army of the Potomac, under Generals McClellan and
Pupe, and was wounded Aug. 30, 1862, at the second battle of Bull
Bun. He was honorably discharged with his comradesat Madison,
Wis., July 16, 1864. In politics he is a strong Republican.
Andrew J. Esser was born in Prussia, Feb. 28, 18 J 2, and emi-
grated with his parents to America in 1851. They landed at New
York, and from there went at once to Dodge County, Wis., where
Andrew lived seven years, then went to Missouri, and worked as a
farm laborer two years. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company
E, Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served thirteen
months. He participated in the battles of Jackson, Mies., Black
River, Canton ; was in the siege of Vicksburg forty-seven days,
and was with Sherman on liis march to the sea. Upon leaving the
service he returned to Wisconsin, remained six months, thence to
Kendall County, 111. He followed farming there four years, and
May, 1868, came to Rockford, la. He at once engaged in farming,
and in 1874 purchased 200 acres of land on section 31, Scott Town-
ship, and in 1878, 160 on section 32, making a splendid farm of
860 acres of finely cultivated land. He was married in 1871 to
Martha De Wolf, who was born in Wisconsin in October, 1868.
They have three children — Anna, born July 29, 1872 ; Albert,
May 26, 1876, and Leonard, July 22, 1878. In his political views,
Mr. Esser is a Republican ; he has held many of the township
oflioes, and is the present School Director and Road Supervisor.
William Galbraith^ one of the prominent farmers of Scott Town-
ship, is a native of Scotland, bom in the town of Slates, in 1804.
He emigrated to America in 1850, landed at Kew York, and from
there went direct to Marquette County, Wis., where he engaged
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1004 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUinT.
is fanning eleven years, and in 1861 disposed of bis land and came
to Flojd County, la. He settled on sections 10 and 11, Scott
Townsbip, where he owns a valuable farm of 320 acres, under
excellent improvement and finely stocked. He has twice married ;
his first wife, Jeannette Stephenson, was a native of Scotland,
where she died in 1842, leaving two children — Jeannette, bom
April 30, 1838, and David, March 11, 1841. The second marriage
occurred Jan . 26, 1849, to Agnes Thomson, likewise of Scottish
birth, bom in Ayreshire in 1829. The fruit of this union is ten
children, viz.: William, bom Oct. 11, 1860; James, Aug. 26,
1864 ; John, March 1, 1856 ; Andrew, Aug. 22, 1858 ; Eobert,
Feb. 21, 1860 ; Samuel and Alexander (twins), March 21, 1863 ;
Rachel and Hugh (twins), July 7, 1864, and Agnes, April 2, 1869.
The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics
Mr. Galbraith gives the Republican party his support.
Thomas OarbeTy one of the representative citizens of Scott Town-
ship, was born in Shelby County, O., Dec. 6, 1835. He came from
Ohio to Clayton County, la., in 1854, and lived there until March
18, 1866, when he settled in Floyd County, purchasing land in
Union Township. Three years later he moved to Scott Township,
having previously bought eighty acres of land on section 12, and
has since resided there. He has made farming his life business,
and is now one of the practical and successful farmers of Floyd
County. He is a strong supporter of the Bepnblicans, and has
been elected to the office of Constable, and is the present Road
Supervisor. He was united in marriage with Josephine McCrum ,
on March 18, 1862. She was born in Huntingdon County, Pa.,
Defi, 22, 1844. Four children have blessed this union, viz.: Sel-
don, born April 18, 1866; Edmund, Jan. 25, 1867; Dora, Feb.
24, 1870, and Alice, July 7, 1878. Mr. Garber is a member of the
German Baptist church.
J. W. J^r&y was bom on the Isle of Man, May 19, 1837, and
emigrated to America when in his boyhood; he landed at New
York and went at once to Jamestown, Wis., where he resided until
Aug. 12, 1862, and on that day he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-
fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Nash and
Colonel Montgomery, and was mustered out with his comrades when
the war closed at Washington, D. C, and discharged at Madison
County. He was with the Army of the Cumberland, and engaged in
many a hard-fonght battle. He was with Sherman on his famous
march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Kennesaw Mt,
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eOOTT TOWNSHIP. - 1006
Atlanta, Dallas, Ga., Decatar, Ga^, was in front of Atlanta under
fijre for about six months, and was also present daring the siege
and battle of Savannah, Ga. After the^ capture of that city, he
with his regiment shipped on board a steamer and went to South
Carolina, and took the town of Columbia, reducing it to ashes.
This regiment was detailed as provost gnard and sent to North
Carolina, thence to Kichmond, Va., and from there to Washington,
and was in the grand review. He returned to Wisconsin, and in
the spring of 1866 crossed the plains to Montana, and resided
near Helena City two and one-half years. He came to Rockford,
la., in the fall of 1869, ani bought 120 ac^res of fine farming land
on section 31, Scott Township, and has resided here since. He
was married Dec. 27, 1869, to Rosa S. Collogan, wlio was born in
Wisconsin, and died July 14, 1880, leaving five children — James
N., Mary E., Abbie B., George and Frank L. Mr. Jeffrey was
again married on April 16, 1882, to Aarelia Lowrenz, who was
born in Freeport, 111., April 26, 1852, and camo to Rockford, Iowa,
in 1876. In politics Mr. Jeffrey is a strong Republican.
Hiram Lo9ee. Prominent among the pioneers and representative
citizens of Floyd Connty stands the subject of this sketch. A
native of Jefferson County, N. Y., he was b^rn March 3, 1834,
and resided there until 21 years of age, when he came to Marble
Rock, la., at that time called Beelar's Grove. Settlers were few
in that region and Mr. Losee was among the first. He opened a
farm on section 30, Union Township, which he cultivated and
afterward rented until 1870, when he sold it and moved to Scott
Township. He is one of the largest land-owners in the county,
his possessions amounting to 1,233 acres of fine farming land. The
farm upon which he resides is located on sections 12 and 13, and
consists of 700 acres, well improved and thoroughly stocked. He
has a herd of 208 head of stock. He has been elected to the oflSces
of Township Clerk, Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and County
Treasurer, serving in each instance with credit to himself and the
entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Sept. 8, 1859, he was
united in uiarriage with Phoebe Smith, a native of Ohio. They
have eight children — John K., born Feb. 18, 1861; Charles D.,
June 16, .1863; A. Sheridan, Aug. 19, 1865; Frederick R.,
Dec. 26, 1868; James B., May 26, 187D; Amelia J., Feb. 11, 1874;
Sarah M., Apr. 2, 1877, and Florence M.*, Apr. 18, 1882. Mr.
'Losee is neutral in his political views. His mother is spending her
declining years with him, and is seventy-five years of age.
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1006 HISTORY OF TLOTD COUNTY.
E. D. Montrose was bom in Ulster County, N. Y., and from
the time he was four years of age until he was twenty he lived on
the banks of the Gonesee River, Livingstoi County. In 1836 he
emigrated to St. Joseph County, Mich., thence to Dane County,
Wis., in 184». In 1865 hecamo to Floyd County, la., and in 1S66
bought 250 acres of Sue land on section 35, Scott Township, where
he has resided since, one of the most honored and raspected citi-
zens of this county. He was elected to the office of Justice of the
Peace in 1867, holding that position ten years. In 18S8 he was
elected County Superintendent, and has held at various times
nearly all of the township offices, serving with credit to himself and
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Dec. 19, 1839, he
was nnitod in marriage with Harriet L. Star, who was born in
Oneida County, N. Y., O^t. 16, 1817. Their union has been
blessed with seven children, viz. : Henry W., born Dec. 27, 1840,
enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on July
24, 1861, and served four years, participating in all the battles of
this regiment except one; he was wounded at Corinth, Miss., and
at Port Donelson; he wa^ with S-ierman on his march to the sea
and with Grant at Bjlmont; he was discharged with his comrades
after much brave and daring fighting at Louisville, Ky.; Catharine,
born Aug. 14, 1843, married W. H. Porter; Emily, Oct. 27, 1846,
is the wife of T. E. Teape; Marion, Dvic. 22, 1847, married Austin
Russell; Addio, Jan. 24, 1849; Lucy, May 8, 1866, married Fred-
erick Morrill, an 1 Sarah, Mir. 28, 1861. In his political views
Mr. Montrose is a strong Republican.
1. W. Nicholson WAS horn in Philadelphia, Penn., June^lQ, 1847,
where he lived till five years of age, then went with his parents to
Pittsburg, Penn., where they lived three years; from there came to
Delaware County, la., in 1855. He worked on a farm with his
father, in Del iware County, until 1871. Jan.l, 1871, he. married
Sarah C. Stones, born in Lx Porte, In I., March 6, 1850. They have
four children— Elsie M., born May 13, 1875; Robert G., Nov.
80, 1876; Frank H., Dec. 18, 1878, anl Nora G., Jan. 27, 1881.
Mr. Nicholson is a Djraocratin his political views. He ow.is 160
acres of good land on section 17, Scott Township, Floyd County.
Cyrus H. Oaks was born in the State of Maine, Jan. 21, 1836,
and emigr.ited fiom there to Illinois when twelve years of age.
His parents sottled on a farm in Bjone County, where he was
reared and educated, remaining until 1871, and in that year he came
to Floyd County, Iowa. He located o:i section. 8, Scott Township,
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 1007
w'lere he owns 260 acres of finely cultivated land, and ranks with
the prominent and sacsessfiil fanners of the county. He has held
the offivse of Township Clerk sioce 1874, and that of Justice of the
Peace four years. He was elected County Supervisor in January,
1876, and still retains the position. As an officer he is capable
and efficient, and discharges his duties with credit to himself and
the satisfaction of his constituants. Politically he is a pronounced
Republican. On Jan. 30, 1861, he was united in marriage with
Alida A. Vorce, a native of Henderson, N. Y., born Aug. 26, 1835.
Tlie fruit of this union is two children — Albert J., born Nov. 13,
1861, and E^irie, Ang. 16, 1855.
J. B. Sjhermerhom was born in Delaw.ire County, N. Y., July
1, 1840, and came to Galva, Hjnry County, 111., in 1858, where he
lived one year, and then came to Iowa, going to Delaware County;
rem lined there till the spring of 1869, and then came to Floyd
County, settling on section 23, Scott Township. He has 160
acres of fine latid, which he has under goo 1 cultivation. Polit-
ic illy he is a Democrat. He has held the office of Township
Treasurer for eiglit years, and is the present incumbent; he was
elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, and still holds that office ; he
ha3 served on the Board of Township Trustees for several terms.
H 5 was married to Rebecca M. Bowman, July 23, 1861. She was
bom near Dayton, Ohio, April 20, 1845. They have six children
— Frank, born April 9, 1862 ; Eugene J., March 24, 1865 ; Sarah,
July 11,1872 ; John T., Feb. 22, 1875 ; Wayne H., Sept 22, 1877;
Susannah, May 19, 1879.
Isaac Sharp^ was born near Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1830,
and whm he was three years oil his fat'ner emigrated to Chau-
tau(jua County, that State, wherj he remained until. thirteen years
of agi. His father then re.noved to Kme County, 111., an! died
there in 1830. Isaac Shirp came to Iowa, Sept. 17, 1854, resided
in Benton County one year, then came to Floyd County, purchas-
ing 160 acres of land on section 2, Scott Township, and in 1873, he
adied 160 acres to that purchase, and now owns 320 acres of as
fine land as there is in the State of Iowa. He was married to
Agnes Cornelie in La Salle County, 111., on July 19, 1853. She
WHS born in Ulster Cmnty, N. Y., Sopt. 2, 1836. They have
nine children, viz.: Hattie, George, Calvin, Emma, Fred, Nellie,
Charles, Lulu and Willie. Mr. Sharp votes the Republican ticket,
and ha«» held the offices of Township Trustee, School Director and
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1<H)8 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUICTY.
Assessor, serviDg acceptably in each instance. He ranks with the
prominent and inflaential farmers and stock-growers of Flojd
County.
Paxson ShuUz was born in Columbia County, Penn., in October,
1^26. "^e moved to Lee County, 111., in 1856, where he resided
till 1874, when he came to, Floyd County, la., where he has 229
acres of good, well-improved land. He was married in Pennsyl-
vania in 1851, to Hannah Temple, a native of that Stite, born in
1327. They have five children — H. R., Philip, George, Jane
and Elmeda. He raises stock and all kinds of acrain. Politically
he is a Eepnblican.
Charles D. Smith was born in Erie County, 0., Nov. 12, 1853,
and emigrated with his father to Floyd County, la., in June, 1856.
They settled on section 6, Union Township, and Charles D.
remained at home assisting on the farm and attending school until
1879, when he purchased eighty acres of rich land on section 4,
Scott Township, and moved upon it. He built a house, which
was completely demolished by a storm that visited this region
June 1, 1879, and made a complete wreck of all his improvements.
With unfaltering energy and determination he went to work to
rebuild his fallen home, and to-day he ranks with the prominent
and influential farmers of Scott Township. He was married Jan.
29, 1879, to Emma J. Smith, a native of New York, born Dec. 23,
1859. Two children have blessed this union — Nellie, born Feb.
16, 1880, died March 10, of that year, and Cassie, bom June 28,
1881. Mrs. Smith came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen
Smith, from New York in 1878, and met and married her present
husband. Her parents reside near Marble Koek, la. In politics
the subject of this memoir is a Republican.
Da/oid Ston&t* was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 22,
1825, and lived there until he was twenty-five years old, when he
removed to La Porte County, Ind., and lived four years; then
went to Delaware County, la., and followed farming till 1874,
when he came to Floyd County, settling on section 15, Scott
Township, where he has 160 acres of fine, well-improved land.
He was married in "Wayne County, Ind., in 1847, to Sarah Bow-
man, a native of Dauphin County, Penn., born in 1828. From
this union there are five children — Sarah (now Mrs. Thomas
Nicholson), bom in 1851 ; Emeline (now Mrs. Allen Kates), born
in Indiana in 1S53 ; Qenlanstone, born in Iowa in 1855 ; Augusta,
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 1009
born in Delaware County, la., in 1863 ; and Ada Melvina, born in
1868. Mr. Stoner is neutral in his political views.
tJohn R. Waller was born in Rockford, 111., Oct 28, 1841. He
moved to Charles City, la., in 1855, where he lived till 1864,
when he went to Montana Territory and engaged in mining, mer-
chandising and handling live-stock till 1868, when he returned to
Charles City. He then speculated in live-stock, land, etc. In
1871 he moved on his farm on section 23, Scott Township, where
hc^till resides. He has been raising trotting and thoroughbred
horses, and is now handling and shipping horses, mules, cattle
and all kinds of grain to Northern Dakota. He was married Jan.
9, 1870, to Mary E. Stearns, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass.,
July 13, 1843. They have five children — Edwin S., bom Dec. 20
1878; Richard R., Au^. 16, 1875; Wayne F., May 16, 1878;
Oliver Randolph, Aug. 2, 1880 ; Helene B., Oct. 16, 1881. Mrs.
"Waller is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Waller
is a member of the Red Mountain Lodge of Freemasons in Mon-
tana. Politically he is a Republican. He graduated from Iowa
College, and was probably the first to graduate from Floyd
County.. He owns 900 acres of land.
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8T. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
THE TBBBITOEY.
St. Cbarlee was first set off as a tovrnjhip Sapt. 4, 1854, by John
M. Hnnt, Coanty Judge. It was then one of the foar composing
the coanty, and comprised congressional townships 94 and 95
north, in ranges 16 and 17. Since that time the following alter -
ations have been made: March 5, 1835, sections 25 and 36, and
the sonth half of sections 26 and 35, of township 96, 16, and a
strip two miles wide from the south side of township 96, 15, were
added from Floyd, by David Wiltse, Acting Judge. July 21,
1855, the west half of township 94, 16, anl sections 29 to 32,
inclnsive of township 95, 16, were transferred to Union Town-
ship by Judge Ball. March 6, 1856, sections 25 to 36 incln-
sive (except 31) were transferred from St. Ciiarles Township to
Niles, by S. B. Starr, Acting Judge, March 25, 1856, the north
half of section 26, and all of section 2t of township 96, 16, were
transferred from Floyd to St. Charles Township, by Judge Oollins.
Also, by the same, on the same day, sections 29 to 32 inclusive, of
township 95, 16, were transferred from Union to St. Charles.
March 2, 1857, congressional township 94 north, in range 15
west, and the east half of township 94, 16, and sections 25, 26, 27,
3A, 35 and 36, io township 95, 15, were detached from St.
Ctiarles and made into the township of Riverton. Dec. 31, 1858,
by S. B. Starr, Acting Judge, sections 28 and 33, in towaship 95,
15, were transferred from St. Charles to Riverton Township. The
same were set back to St. Ciiarles Township by Judge Ripley, Jan.
3, 1859. Jan. 11 following, by same, the south half of section 31,
township 96, 15, and the north half of sections 1 to 5 inslusive, of
township 95, 15, were transferred from St. Charles to Niles, and
the sonth half of the north half of section 31, township 96, 15,
was transferred from Niles to St. Charles.
At variona times siaoe the organization of the township at-
tempts have been made to siib-divide it, and to set it off indepen-
dently from Charles City. Some are in favor of independence in
school matters only, and some in other respects. The first election
rioio)
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ST. 0HABLE8 TOWNSHIP.
1011
for township officers was held in April, 1855, which resulted as
follows: Trustees, John Blunt; John Kellogg, R. W. Humphrey;
Clerk, Milo Gilbert; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Jackson and
Alanson Lambert^ Assessor, Sanford Harwood. In 1882 the
Amendment vote was 365 for, and 458 against.
FIB6T 8BTTLBB8, ETO.
Ambrose W. Story was the first settler within the bounds of St.
Oharles Township, also in the county. He located on section 20,
about three miles south of Oharles City, in 1850, and did the first
breaking in the county. Joseph Kelly, at the point where Charles
City now stands, in 1851 was the second in the township and
county. For further particulars see chapters I and XVII, where
also nearly all the '^ first events" and things in this township are
given. After reading over the sacred list of names in those chap-
ters, we should pause to study the energetic character of those
pioneers who through so great self-sacrifi«e have made happy
homes for the present generation. As about all the religious or-
ganizations of this township have their services in Charles City,
the reader is referred to Chapter XVII for an account of the
churches. St. Charles Township is not a whit behind any of the
others in benevolence. For example, during the year 1866 alone
it contributed in the aggregate the sum of $25,610 for benevolent
and other public enterprises.
EDUCATIONAL.
Below is a tabular view of the condition of all the schools in this
township during the spring term of 1882:
KG. OF DISTRICT.
TBAOHEB.
1.
2
8.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8,
9
10.
11.
19.
18
27
19
22
19
25
25
10
28
10
26
80
20
15
28.7
12
18.8
14.5
19.7
19
9.5
18.7
7.7
15
28
15
12.5
Fannie Humphrey.
Mary Korinkee.
Emma E. Lash.
Anna Rider.
Lillie B. Lloyd.
Hattie Hatchinson.
Laura Warn.
R. D. Capron.
Ella F. Salmon.
Effle A. Trenholm.
Marian L. Dayidson.
Mary Stocks.
Adda Gray.
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1012 HISTORY or FLOYD COUNTY.
The remainder of the history of St. Charles Township is essen-
tially contained in the history of Charles City, Chapter XVII.
BIOGRAPHIOAL.
Joaiah Billings^ bom in Lancaster, Worcester County, Mass.,
^ug. 11, 1820, is a son of Josiah Billings, a native of Lunenbarg,
Mass. He was educated in Groton Academy, Mass. His father
was a tanner, and he worked at the same*trade thirty years. He
went to Maine in 1845, and in 1869 came to this county. He
owns 320 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising;
resides on section 10, St. Charles Township. He was married to
Ellen Monroe. They had one child — Edward. In 1862 Mrs.
Billings died, and in 1866 he married Marsha Tibbitts.
Ezekiah Bluntj farmer, section 31, was born in Green County,
Wis., Oct. 14, 1843. His parents were John and Maria (Wells)
Blunt, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Wisconsin.
His father was for many years a farmer in Wisconsin. In the
spring of 1852 he removed with his wife and seven children to
Floyd County, and located in St. Charles Township. Here he re-
sided til) his death, April 26, 1880, respected by all who knew him.
Ezekiah, our subject, received only a common-school education.
He attended the first school taught in Charles City; the teacher
was Miss Lydia Palmer. Dec. 31, 1863, he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Macauley, of Pennsylvania. They have six children —
Mary C, Charles R., Ezekiah, Jr., Ernest E., Walter C. and Barney.
Mr. Blunt is the owner of 293 acres of farming land in Floyd
County, most of it under cultivation. Politically he is a Democrat.
C. H. Clark^ farmer, section 19, was born in Gallia County, O.,
June 20, 1833, and was the son of Samuel and Mary A. (Roberts)
Clark. His father was born in Giles County, Va., in 1799; his
mother in the same county in 1803. After their marriage they re-
moved to Gallia County, O., where they lived till 1852, at which
time they moved to Chickasaw County, la. Here they located a
farm and resided two years, when they removed to Pleasant Grove
Township, Floyd County. Here they resided until their death,
that of the father occurring in 1861, and that of the mother in
1868. The subject of this sketch received a limited education in
the common schools, residing with his father on his farm. At the
time the family came to Floyd County the only families residing
in Charles City were the Blunts and the Kellys. Mr. Clark en-
tered a farm in Pleasant Grove Township. Sept. 13, 1857, he was
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8T. 0HABLE8 T0WK8HIP. 1013
married to Nancy DeWitt, of GhilUa County, O., whom he had
known in early youth in that State. In the spring of 1882 he pur-
chased his present farm in St. Charles Township. Mr. Clark has
been a Democrat all his life.
A. W. Cook^ farmer and fine-stock raiuer, section 20, was born
in Boston, Mass., Nov. 11, 1811, son of Jesse and Lucretia (Parker)
Cook, who were natives of Vermont. His father died while on a
voyage to Canton, China, in 1817, his mother soon after, leaving
him to care for himself. He resided in Boston, Mass., for a number
of years with his uncle, Cephas Parker, after which he went to
Kutland, Vt; and there resided some six years; then went to
Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he remained until nineteen
years of age, at which time he went to New Orleans, and from
there to Alabama, residing there some three years; afterward went
to Lincoln County, Ky., where he was married to Martha 8.
Owsley, who was born in Kentucky. They have been blessed with
four children, viz.: William H., Jessie, Mollie O., now Mrs. G.
W. Bennett, and Dora D. He engaged in farming and dealing in
stock in Kentucky for a number of years, after which he moved to
Sangamon County, 111., and engaged in the stock business and
farming until 1869; he then sold out and moved to Floyd County,
Iowa, where he purchased a beautiful stock farm on Cedar Creek,
and has now one of the finest stock and brood farms in Northern
Iowa. He was the first to introduce into the State of Iowa the
Norman Percheron stock in 1870, and in 1874 he made a trip to
France, and imported some of the finest ever brought to America,
and has continued each year to renew the stock. In 1882 he
imported twenty head, sixteen stallions and four mares, all thor-
ough bred, and now has some seventy-five on his farm, and
also has forty head of fine thoroughbred short-horn cattle, which
he carefully breeds, and is ready to supply at any time the same
to parties wishing good stock. He is the owner of 600 acres of
well-improved land where he resides. Politically he is a Democrat-
Klaus H. Gook (deceased) was born in Hesse, Germany, Nov.
8, 1818. His parents were Gratt and Annetta (Crumga) Cook,
natives of Hesse, where they had a farm. He was married March
31, 1854, to Gesina Freeeman, a native of Hesse. She was born
Sept. 27, 1826. They have nine children — Garrett, Herbert, Theda,
(now Mrs. Theodore Bagman), John W., Nettie M. (now Mrs.
Abel Veator), Minnie N. (now Mrs. Cramer), Leah (now Mrs.
Chris. Bagman), Lena M. and Eliza E. In 1869 the family
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1014 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
emigrated to America, and located in Flojd County. Mr. Cook
pnrcbased 320 acres on section 31, St. Charles Township, sonth of
Charles City. Mr. Cook died March 80, 1877, and Mrs Cook now
resides on the homestead with her sons Garrett and John, and her
daughters Lena and Eliza.
H. J. Cramer^ farmer, section 25, was born in Hanover, Ger-
many, Ang. 15, 1838« and was the son of Bemmer and Lena
(Cramer) Cramer, natives of Hanover. He came with his parents
to America in 1852, and resided with them at Freepdrt nntil 1861
>when he came to Floyd County. He was married in 1867 to Lu-
cretia B. Fish, a native of Maine, and daughter of N. B. and
Nancy Fish. They have one child — Maud. He owns a fine farm
of 210 acres, situated two miles south of Charles City. Politically
he is a Democrat.
John jR. Cramer^ farmer, section 31, sonth of Charles City, was
bom in Hanover, Germany, Aug. 31, 1843. He was the son of
Bemmer and Lena (Cramer) Cramer, natives of Hanover. They
emigrated to America in 1852 with eleven children, seven of whom
are living — Hiram J., Bemmer F., George W., John B., Schwa-
tuga (now Mrs. Loop), Lena (now Mrs. August Kuhlenmeyer)»
and Emma (now Mrs. Henry Gates). Mr. Cramer first located
at Freeport, 111., and engaged in farming until 1861 when he
removed to Floyd County. He now resides with John B., onr
subject. The latter received his education in the schools of Free-
port. III., and was married March 1, 1877, to Minnie Koch, a
native of Hanover, Germany, and a daughter of K. H. and Gesinega
(Freesman) Koch. She came to America in 1869. They have two
children — Henrietta Lena and Herman Bemmer. Mr. Cramer
owns a fine farm on section 31, which contains 350 acres of land
under good cultivation. He owns also 20 acres of imber in
Biverton Township. Mr. Cramer is a Democrat.
Calvin Danforth^ farmer, section 12, was born in Caledona
County, Vt, April 9, 1816. His parents were John and Mary
(Sinclair) Danforth, natives of New Hampshire. They moved to
Vermont when the country was new, and located on a farm. Mrs.
Danforth died soon, when Calvin was one year old, and Mr. Dan.
forth married again. He lived to the age of eighty-five years on
his farm in Vermont. Calvin, our subject, lived on his father'*
farm till he was twenty-eight years old, passing his early years in
the common schools of Vermont. In 1844 he went to Franklin
County, N. Y., and married Sarah A. Waterbury, a native o f St*
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ST. CHABLE8 TOWNSHIP. 1015
Lawrence County, N. T. He lived near the town of Covington
three years, and then moved to Sank County, Wis. Here he re-
mained engaged in farming, for twenty years. Thence he removed
to Beaver Dam. After a few months he removed to Sparta, Wi?.,
and thence, in a short time, to Elkhart, Ind. Here he was en-
gaged in milling for a time, and then he engaged with a wagon
mannfactorer. In this business he came to Flojd County in 1869.
He owns 2,000 acres of farming land, most of which is rented and
in cultivation. Mr. Danforth has three children — James Albert^
Hobart W. and Frederick C. Hobart W. and Frederick C. reside
in Floyd County. Mr. Danforth and wife are members of the
Baptist church at Charles City. He is politically a Republican.
Ira Dodge^ farmer, section 35, north of Charles City, was born
in Chenango County, N. Y., May 1, 1799. His parents were
Solomon and Parkas (Burlingame) Dodge, the former a native of
Massachusetts, and the latter of Yermont. They located in
Chenango County in 1790, and remained there till their death.
Lra, our subject, passed his early years in the common schools,
and was married in 1822, to Almira Betts, native of Broome
County, N. Y. They have had a family of six children, four now
living — William B., Dwight, Eliza (now Mrs. Samuel- Lyon), and
Harriet (now Mrs. Dues). The three dead are — Charlotte,
Luellen^and Mary. In 1839 Mr. Dodge removed to Pennsylva-
nia, where his wife died, in 1848. He was again married in 1851,
to Mar^raret English. They have one daughter — lantha (now Mrs.
P. E. Pierson). They removed to Floyd County in the fall of 1852,
locating near Charles City. Here he engaged in farming for
many years, but is now retired, living on the homestead with his
daughter. When Mr. Dodge came here, the only two families in
Charles City were the Blunts and Kellys. Politically he is a
Republican.
WiUiam H, Harvey^ born in Chatham, Canada, Jan. 26, 1827,
is a son of William Harvey, a native of Pittsburg, Pa. His
mother died when he was eleven years old. He received a limited
education in the subscription schools. In 1838 his father moved
to Winnebago County, 111. In 1855 he came to Chickasaw Cjunty,
la., and in 1857 came to this county, and settled in the wilder-
ness, but now he has his farm of 241 acres well improved. He re-
turned to Illinois the first fall after coming here and spent the
winter; came back the following April with a horse; the team
69
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1016 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
stuck in a 8lou<2;b ; he pat the children on the horse and gave a
man $1.50 to pull thfe wagon out with oxen. His wife walked
from Chickasaw County. One night a bear came near the house
and scared the horses; one horse ran around the shanty or wig-
wam in which they were camping before their house was built and
tore it down on the family. He was married June 7, 1852, to M.
Matilda Waller. Of their six children, five are living — Harriet,
William, Ella, Jackson and Frank. He resides on section 15, St
Charles Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Maxwell Ireland^ farmer, section 11, was born in Preble County,
Ohio, June 21, 1818. He was the son of James and Polly (Max-
well) Ireland, natives of Kentucky. They removed to Preble
County, O., in an early day. In 1831 the family removed to
Michigan, where Mr. Ireland died the following fall. Mrs. Ire-
land then removed to St. Joseph County, Ind., and from there,
after some years, to La Porte County, where she died, in the fall of
1857. Maxwell Ireland received his education in the common
schools, and was married in 1839, in St. Joseph County, to Sarah
A. Petit. After a number of years they removed to La Porte
County, and in September, 1857, they again removed to Floyd
County, la., locating on the- present farm. They have three
children — Rebecca J., Sylvester C. and Sylvanus P. Mrs. Ire-
land died March 11, 1882. Mr. Ireland has owned considerable
land in Floyd County, but has divided all but 120 acres among
his children. Politically Mr. Ireland is a Republican.
John Jordan was born in Ireland in 1822. He came to Amer-
ica in 1850, stopping in New York, where he remained seven years;
thence to Wisconsin where he lived ten years; then came to Iowa
and settled on section 22, St. Charles Township, where he has 100
acres of good land . He was married in 1846 to Isabella Chambers,
a native of Ireland. They had one child — Mary, now Mrs. Charles
Smith. Mrs. Jordan died in 1874, and in 1878 Mr. Jordan married
Rosilla Strong. They have one child — Sarah, born Jan. 11, 1881.
Mr. Jordan is.a Presbyterian in his religious views, and politically
is a Elepublican.
William Jung^ farmer, section 12, was born in Hesse, Germany,
Sept. 5, 1851. His parents were John and Eatrina (Brandan)
Jung, who emigrated to America in 1869, and located in Cook
County, 111., where they still reside. William was married in
1876 to Mrs. Eatheriue (Blankenbach) Sippel, in Chicago. She
had by her first marriage three children — Conrad, Henry and Mar-
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ST. CHAELES TOWNSHIP. 1017
tha* Mr. and Mrs. Jung have three children — William, Emily and
Belan. In the spring of 1882 he rented his farm in Cook County
and came to Floyd County. He has a fine farm of eighty acres of
land in St. Charles Township. Mr. Jung is a consistent member of
the German Methodist church. Politically he is a Eepublican.
John Kdlogg (deceased), farmer, section 1, north of Charles City,
was born March 28, 1808, in Vermont. He was the son of Jona-
than and Hannah (Upham) Kellogg, both of whom were born in
Vermont. They moved to Ohio, where the father died. The
mother removed with our subject to Floyd County in 1864, he
having entered his land the year previous. 8he died in Floyd
County. He was married in Ohio, in 1832, to Rachel Shelley, a
native of Connecticut They had a family of nine children, eight of
whom are now living — Eliza (now Mrs. John Brown), William,
Matilda (now Mrs. William E. Holbrook), Lyman, Mary (now Mrs.
James McKinney), Harvey S., Edwin, Jennie (now Mrs. Harvey
Webster), and Emily (deceased). John Kellogg died April 20,
1881. His wife still resides on the home farm with her son Edwin.
The latter was married June 2, 1877, to Abbie S. Culver, a native
of Iowa. They have two children — Guy H. and Daisy. Politi.
<*ally Mr. Kellogg is a Bepublican.
IscLdo S. Large^ nurseryman, was bom in Jefferson County, Ind.,
Nov. 9, 1830. His parents were Ebenezer and Rachel (Nichols)Large,
the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia.
Mrs. Large died in 1851. Mr. Large came to Floyd County in
the fall of 1856, and remained the winter. Not liking the cold he
went to Missouri, where he died the following fall. Isaac S. came
to Floyd County, Oct. 10, 1852, and settled near Charles City, when
it contained but two log houses, those of Blunt and Kelly. Atlter
a short time he removed to the northern part of the county. In
1866 he was married to Hannah Worseldine, an English woman.
She was born in 1844, and was the daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Green) Worseldine. They have one son — John E. He after-
ward sold his farm and removed to Charles City, where he has
been in the nursery business ever since. In 1862 he enlisted in
Company A, Eighteenth Illinois, and was soon transferred to the
Twenty-first Iowa. He served three years, most of the time as fite
major, to which position he was pronioted^soon after enlistment
He was in the battles of Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, and
in the Mobile campaign. Politically Mr. Large is a Greenbacker.
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1018 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
David Lonergan^ farmer, section 31, was born in County Tipper-
ary, Ireland, Aug. 28, 1826. His parents were David and Ifary
(Quirk) Lonergan, natives of the same county, Tliey emigrated to
America in 1840, locating in Utica, N. Y. There they resided
about a year and a half. Thence they removed to Waukesha Oonnty,
Wis., and resided there until 1846. Going to Washington County,
Wis., Mr. Lonergan died, and Mrs. Lonergan removed to Fond
du Lac County, Wis. David, our subject, was married in 1858 to
Sarah Jane Rich. In 1864 they removed to Floyd County, la.,
where they have since resided,* engaged in farming. He owns
220 acres of land, under high cultivation. They have eight chil-
dren— John M., Margaret A., Mary, Harriet, Martha, £dwin,
Nellie and David A. Mr. Lonergan is politically a Greenbacker,
and religiously is a member of the Catholic church.
JainesN. Makepeaoe^ born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Nov.
22, 1830, is a son of Elijah Makepeace (deceased), who moved to
Ohio, near Cleveland, in 1834, and to Winnebago County, 111., in
1841. James N. came to Mitchell County, la., in June, 1857,
and the following August to this county. He helped kill three
bear and one elk the first winter he was here. He resides on sec-
tion 8, St. Charles Township, and owns 360 acres. He is engaged
in farming and stock-raising, besides paying attention to dairying
and an apiary. He owns 110 cattle, fifty-five hogs and nine horses.
He was married in 1853 to Carcenia A. Lee, born in La Porte,
Ind.,Jan. 24# 1833. Her father, James B. Lee, built the first
house in La Porte, Ind. He moved to Rockford 111., in 1835,
when there were only three houses there. He still resides in
Rockford at the age of seventy-nine years; is of German descent.
Mr. and Mrs. Makepeace have six children — ^Niles H., Alice C,
Minnie V., Estella C, Arthur B. and Fred E.
John Martzon was born in Germany, on Dec. 20, 1820. He was
a son of Michael and Mary Catharinea Martzon, both natives of
Germany. Mr. John Martzon came to America when he was
about thirty-five years of age, locating in Dubuque, la., where he
remained three years engaged in teaming principally. In 1856 he
became a citizen of Floyd County. He rented land in Union
Township the first three years. At the end of this time he bought
eighty acres where he still resides, on section 31, St. Charles Town-
ship. To his first purchase he addeJ five eighty-acre pieces. Mr.
Martzon was married in Floyd County in 1856, to Miss Barbara
Swick, a native of Germany. They have six children — Mary
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ST. 0HABLE6 TOWNSHIP. 1019
(married Oharlos Sylvester, and resides in Charles City), John,
Anna, George, Lewis and Mike. The five younger children are
all at home. The father and mother and all the children are mem-
bers of the Catholic church.
James Mc Kinney^ section 30, was born Aug. 4, 1844, in Wash-
ington County, N. Y. His parents were John and Florida (Wells)
McKinney, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to America in
1830, and now reside in Salem County, N. Y. The subject of this
memoir passed his early life in the common schools of New York,
and he alfao learned to be a painter and machinist. He was married
April 7, 1868, to Florence Odbert. They have two children —
Augusta F. and Burton J. Mrs. McKinney died Aug. 28, 1871,
and soon afterward Mr. McKinney came to Charles City. He was
married to Mary Kellogg, May 15, 1874, whose acquaintance he
formed here. They have had four children — Harvey J., Arthur
H., Evelyn J. and Nellie R. Mr. McKinney is a farmer by occu-
pation, but is ako a painter, carpenter and machinist. He is a
highly respected man.
Oeorge Mitchell^ Maple Grove Creamery and Stock Farm, section
34, south of Charles City, was born in Delaware County, N. Y.,
Nov. 3, 1823. His parents were David and Sarah (Dibble) Mitchell,
the former a native of Nashua County, Conn., and the latter of
Washington County, Mass. They removed to Delaware County
in an early day, and resided there on a farmuntil their death. Of
their family of nine children, the youngest was 50 years of age
before any of them died. The father died in 1840, and the mother
at the age of 90, in 1876. George, our subject, attended the com-
mon schools and an academy in Delaware County, N. Y., and was
married in Connecticut, in 1839, to Julia Hough. By this marriage
there were two children — David H. and Emily. In 1853 he
removed to Calhoun County, Mich., where his wife died, in 1857.
He was again married, to Esther M. Cook, a native of Michigan.
They resided there on a farm until 1865, when they removed to
Floyd County. Mr. Mitchell has a large farm, well improved and
stocked, of 540 acres. In connection with his farm is the Maple
Grove Creamery, in which he makes as fine butter as is made in
Iowa. He has a hnndred cattle, forty of them mildi cows, and as
many hogs. Mr. Mitchell is one of the most highly respected
men in the county, and is in every sense a representative man. He
is politically a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members
of the Congregational church.
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1020 HISTORY OP FLOTD OODNTY.
John iSehrimager^ farmer, section 26, north of Charles City,
was born in Scotland, July 4, 1819, and was the son of Alexander
and Jane (McBitchie) Scbrimager, both natives of Scotland. He
emigrated to America in 1836, locating in Ohio. Here he engaged
in farming. In 1850 he moved to Rockford, 111. Here he was
married, in 1854, to Amanda F. Cass. In 1855 thej removed to
Floyd County, Iowa, where they now reside. He owns 243 acres
of land, under good cultivation. They have nine children — John,
Sherman, Mahlon, Ellen, Alexander, Julia, Jennie, Mary and L.
C. Mr. Schrimager is a Republican.
Edwin M. Smithy born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Dec. 28,
1*832, is a son of Thomas Smith, a native of New Hampshire. In
1844 he came West with his parents to Columbus, Wis., and in
1867 came to this county. He was married in March, 1860, to
Elizabeth, daughter of William Rosenkrans. Of their two children,
one is living — Irwin G. Mrs. Smith died in 1872, and in July,
1874, he married Mrs. Eatie Xewis, nee Eelley. He resides on
section 23, St. Charles Township, and is engaged in farming and
stock-raising. He owns 180 acres of fine land.
Benjamvn Timmona^ born in Jasper County, Ind., Aug. 10^
1837i is ft Aon of Thomas Timnions, a native of Ohio. He went
with parents to Cedar Rapids, la., in 1844; to Dubuque the fol-
lowing spring; to Platte ville. Wis., in 1846; back to Indiana in
1848; to Wisconsin again in 1849; from there in a few weeks to
near Dubuque; in 1854 to Delaware County, la. In 1862 Mr.
Tiramons came to this county and settled on section 14, St. Charles
Township. At that time it was all wild land, but now he has 200
acres, all under a good state of cultivation. He is engaged in farm-
ing and stock-raising. He has a barn 60x30 feet, which holds
forty tons of hay. He has & nice two-story house, the main part
being 11 x 24 with an L 16 x 24. He was married in June, 1859,
to Phoebe Hoag. Of their nine children seven are living — Alfred,
Edgar, Elnora, Marietta, Angeline, Ezra D. and Hester; Hnldah
M. and Elizabeth are deceased. The family are members of the
United Brethren church.
0. H. Whiteheady farmer, section 13, was born in Wayne County,
Ind., Nov. 3, 1829. His parents were John and Katherine(Brown)
Whitehead, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter
of Kentucky. They removed to La Porte County, Ind., in 1842,
where the father soon after died. After a number of years Mrs.
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ST. 0HABLE8 TOWNSHIP. 1021
Whitehead, while visiting her daughters in Delaware County, Iowa,
also died. G. H., our subject, was educated in the common schools
of La Porte Coontj, Ind., and after his father's death he managed
the farm. In 1851 he was married to Ann M. Kellogg, a native
of Ohio, and a daughter of Harvey and Jerusha (Parks) Kellogg.
In the fall of 1854 he removed to Floyd County, where he located
in St. Charles Township, He owns a fine farm of 127 acres of
land, on the edge of Charles City. Mr. Whitehead has been from
the first establisS^ment of the Baptist church of Cliarles City an
earnest supporter thereof. Politically he is a Republican.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized in tho year 1858, being the soath
half of township 96 north, of range 17 west, and the north half of
township 95 north, of range 17 west. The name Ulster was
embodied in the petition to the county judge requesting the town-
ship to be organized and to bear the name Ulster, it being the
name of a county in New York State, from which many of the first
settlers of this township emigrated. It has an area of forty-two
square miles, or 26,880 acres, the assessed valuation of which it
$160,000. It has 3 29-100 miles of railroad, whose valuation is
♦11,875.
SETTLEMENT.
Mr. John Ball was the first settler in this township, coming
from Lake County, Ind., in December, 1853; he entered a tract of
land on section 10, where he still resides. Next to follow Mr. Ball
were two brothers by the name of Daniel and Peter Beaver, from
Chickasaw County, but formerly from Western Reserve, O. They
came in about January, 1854, and Josiah M. Rogers and Wm. M.
Crocker, and so on sections 10, 15, 22, and 26, in the spring of
1854, were seen the first log cabins ever constructed within the
limits of what is now known as Ulster Township. These gentle-
men were the first to leave the endearments of home in other lands,
and penetrate into th^ wilds of what we now know as the beautiful
of Flood Creek. The original occupants and owners had just va-
cated. Vestiges of their camping grounds were plainly visible, and
their trails easily followed. The wild deer roamed at will unmo-
lested by the chase of the white man, and the grandeur of nature
was untouched by the hand of art. Following closely in the wake
of these pioneers, in the autumn of the same year came Wm.
Welch, Henry Sprague and Barney Corby, whose welcome as fellow
laborers in the work of civilization can perhaps be better imagined
than described. In the following year came other additions to the
little band, among which may be found the Bjrders, Welches,
Wises, Widow Rowland, A. B. Warren, Wm. Mutchler, D. G.
Hiscox, M. Owens, and perhaps a few others. In the spring of
(1022) ^
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1023
1856 N. F., W. L., and O. McEwen, three brothers from ''York
State," Edward CrowoU, the two Hanoht Brothers and J. B. Powers,
who with A. B.Warren formed a settlement which is now known as
Sub-district No. 2 in Northern Ulster. After this the number of
new oomers increased rapidlj, and by the year 1870 the township
was considered thoroughly settled. The first settlements were
principally on Flood Creek, where the majority of the families still
reside, a few having gone further west, attracted by the allurements
of a pioneer life.
The first wedding took place in 1856 — Henry Welch to Susan
Border, Kev. William P. Halbrook performing the ceremony in a
log house (on the bank of Flood Creek), that has since crumbled
with decay.
The first child born was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bea-
ver, in the fall of 1854. It died in infancy and is believed to
have never been named.
BBLIOIOtrS.
Ulster's religious societies, for a township, have been many and
varied, among them the Methodist, United Brethren, Congrega-
tional, German Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist, Catholic
and Lutheran. With the exception of the United Brethren these,
in 1877, still retained their organization, though not having regular
preaching. To-day there are but two, properly speaking, — the
German M. E. and the Catholic churches, — havipg live organiza-
tions, though the Lutherans occasionally have services in School-
house No. . The German Methodist is the largest church in
the township, having a membership of 146, and a congregation
averaging 200. It was organized as a class in the summer of 1868,
by Rev. Rudolph Fiegenbaum, of Charles City. In the fall it
was organized as a mission, divided from the Charles City Circuit,
and connected with Shell Rock Mission, John Schaad being
preacher. In September, 1870, it was organized as a circuit of the
N. W. Iowa German Conference, Rev. Philip Hiimmell, pastor. In
the second year of his ministration, 1871-1872, the society decided
to erect a church edifice at an expcDse of $2,200. It was built,
finished and dedicated while Mr. Hummell was pastor; the
original membership having been only fifty shows determination
on the part of the German residents. The ministers who have
been appointed to this circuit are as follows: John Shaad, 1869-
1870; Philip Hummell, 1870-1873; C. F. Tramm, 1873-1876,
and during his administration the membership had reached 120 ;
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1034 HI8T0BT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Philipp Funk, 1876-1879 ; Ferdinand Fisher, the present pastor,
1879 to September, 1882, with a present membership of 145. In
this circuit, outside of the home society, there are two other well-
established ones, one of which meets in the basement of the
Rockfurd M. E. church, the other in the school-house in Union
Township, near Greene, preaching every alternate Sunday after-
noon. Connected with these — the home and the Union Township
societies — are two Sunday-schools, with a total of thirty-six oflSeers
and teachers, 120 scholars, and 202 books in the library. The
present offiv^-ers of the Union Township school are . Superintend-
ent, John Oeser ; Assistant Superintendent, Charles Herz. The
officers of the home school are : Supsrintendent, H. Kohlsteadt ;
Assistant Superintendent, C. Lenz ; Secretary, A. Koehler ; Treas-
urer, A. Doake ; Librarian, A. Kock.
THE FIBST BEUGIOUS SBBYIOES
and the first sermons preached in the township were in the house
of John Ball, in the spring of 1854. In our conversation with a
well-known pioneer of that neigborhood, he said: *' Well do I
know with what pertinacity Elder Ball clung to the good old
Methodist hour, as he called it, of 11 o'clock for worship, and
how we used to walk a distance of two miles or more to meeting
in the hot summer time, and while we partook of the spiritual
food which he dispensed to us in a sermon of an hour's length, how
the natural man longed for that other food which was so raven-
ously devoured on arriving at home. Bev. Mr. Ingham, a Method-
ist circuit preacher, who at that time made Waterloo his home,
preached occasionally in Mr. Ball's house at about this time.
And they all pass before us in review — the pioneer preachers
of the different church organizations who have labored among us,
camp-meeting scenes and surroundings, the frequent practical
and often eloquent sermons of those times, as though the inspira-
tionof a new country as God had made it gave new energy, power
and impulse to the leaders of the advance giiarJs of Christianity.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
was taught by M. Owjn?, in the winter ot 1855-'56, in a rude cabin,'
hurriedly constructed, on section 25. The first schools taught in
Floyd County were generally private or subscription schools.
Probably the next school was taught during the following
summer in the house built bv William Welch for a residence on
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1025
the bank of Flood Creek. The teacher was Miss Malinda Palmer,
then of St. Oharles (Charles City), now a resident of Blue Earth
County, Minn.
The formation of the first school-district bears date of April 24,
1856. By action of David Wiltse, School Fond Commissioner of
Floyd Coanty, on application of John Ball and others, sections 1 to
12 inclusive, and the north one half of 16, 17, and 18, in town-
ship 95 north, of range 17 west, were detached from School Dis-
trict No. 1, of Union Township, and formed into a new district
and named No. 3 of Union Township. The organization of this
district was effected at a meeting held at the hoase of Wm.
Welch, in said district, May 5, 1856. Wm. Mucbler presided; L.
G. Hiscox was Secretary. The officers elected were: George Wise,
President, L. G. Hiscoz, Treasurer. At a subsequent meeting,
held on the 21st of Jaly following, a site was chosen forty rods
west of the center of northeast of section 9, and at a meeting held
Sept 14, 1857, a tax of $300 was voted to build a grout house
twenty-two feet square thereon. John Ball was the contractor and
builder. The house was completed and paid for Nov. 10, 1858,
the cost being $299. It was good work, as the condition of the
house to-day testifies.
The register of the first school taught therein contains names of
twenty-five pupils, whose ages varied from that of four to twenty-
one years, many of whom are now fathers and mothers of grown-up
children, and yet residents of the township. Some have cast their
lots in distant lands, and some have crossed the dark river to the
other shore. The pay for those days was as low as eighty-seven
cents per day without board.
The second school district, whose formation bears date of May
19, 1857, was comprised of sections 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 81,
32, 33, and south 1-2 of 19, 20, and 21. This territory was on ap-
plication of E. Crowell, Sen., and others formed into a district
and named No. 3, of Eock Grove Township. A meeting to organ-
ize said district was held at the house of A. B. Warren, June 6,
1857. The officers elected were: A. B. Warren, President; Dr. N. T.
McEwen, Secretary; O. McEwen, Treasurer. On the 12th of Sep-
tember following, a meeting was held at the sams place, a school-
house site was chosen on the northeast corner of the southwest of'
section 32, and a tax of $200 voted to build a frame house 20 feet
square tliereon. E. Crowell, Sen., .was the contractor and builder,
which he completed Dec. 1, 1858. During that winter the
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102«
HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
first school was taught, under the instraction of N. T. McEwen,
and numbered nineteen pupils. In the winter of 1860 this house
was destroyed by fire, through the thoughtlessness of the teacher
in depositing ashes that contained live coals too near the straw em-
bankment that surrounded the house.
The secretary's report from the two districts named for the year
ending Sept. 15, 1857, show the whole number of children of
school age to have been forty- three.
The teachers of last spring term and the number of pupils in
attendance will be seen by the appended table :
DIBTBIOT NUIIBBB.
ENROLL
MBNT.
TBACHBR.
LOTH. OF SCHOOL
IN WBBKS.
1.,...
18
24
28
20
84
28
22
16
Clara J. Teeling.
Wm. McEwen.
Jessie Bumps.
Maggie McElroy.
John G. Legal.
A. L. Dral^e.
Lida Smith.
Fannie L. Mix.
8
8
4
5
6
7
8
▲ OOMPABISON.
In 1857 there were twenty-seven heads of families; there were
forty- three children of school age, ani n>t a school-h>u8e within
the borders of the township in which to properly educate them.
Compare with to-day. The township has now upward of 200
heads of families; the children of school age number close to 300;
there are eight school-houses, whose aggregate cost is $3,800.
Teachers reooive, not the pittance of $16 per month and board
themselves, but the more liberal compensation of $25 and $30,
and boarded.
On the 13th of March, 1858, the General Assembly of the State
passed an act making each civil township in the several counties
of the State a school district, and providing that districts then
established should become sub-districts. In accordance with the
provisions of this act the district township was organized at a
meeting held on the 3d day of May, at the house of J. B. Powers.
District No. 8, of Union, then became Sub-district No. 1, of district
township of Ulster, and District No. 3, of Rock Grove, Sub-district
No. 2, and are known to-day by those names. The other sub dis-
tricts in the township are numbered in the order of their formation.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP.
1027
The first district township officers elected were : Henry Spragne,
President; A. B. Warren, Vice-President; N. T. McEwen, Secre-
tary; John Ball, Treasurer. Sab-directors— N"o. 1, W. Matchler;
No. 2, J. B. Powers.
At the present writing they hare eight school-honses, yalned at
$3,980, and which have been famished at an expense of over $1,200.
The present nainber of children of school age in the township is
290. And so Ulster citizens have a record td show that from the
earliest period they have paid much attention to educational matters.
From the pioneer era to the present time the school has been the
theme of gossip and inquiry. A love of education forms the leading
characteristic of the people. It has always been^fostered and cher-
ished by them as far as their means would permit.
In March, Colonel David Ripley, County Judge of Floyd County,
formed from the north half of township 95, range 17, and the
south half of township 96, range 17 west, a civil township, which
was christened Ulster, after the then-existing postoffice of that
name.
THB FIRST ELEOTION
was held at the house of James Auchmoody, April 5, 1858.
Officers elected: Township Trustees, John Ball, James B. Powers
and John Fox; Township Clerk, William L. McEwen; Justice of
the Peace, M. F. McEwen and Wm. Mutchler; Constables, A. R.
Rhinehartand H. D. Sprague; Boad Supervisors, O. McEwen and
James J. Quimby.
The poll-book of this election shows the number who partici-
pated in it to have been thirty-one, which was then the whole vot-
ing population of the township. We append the list as recorded.
A. Wise,
Q. W. Crowell
James Welch,
J. B. Powers,
W. Mutchler,
Danifl Border,
M. Warren,
Henry Welch,
Nelson Welch,
IL Owens,
Henry Sprague,
E. H. Hnnchett,
W. L. McEwen,
John Ball,
L. G. Hiscox,
N. T. McEwen,
Wm. Welch,
J. J. Quimby,
A.B. Warren,
If. J. Crowell,
John Hanchett,
A. R. Rhinehart,
E. Crowell, Ben
John Fox,
Frank Thomas,
H. D. Sprague,
Wm. McEwen,
O. McEwen,
George Wise,
Joel Johnson,
C. Wise.
By an act of the County Bi>ard of Supervisors, January, 1862,
the boundaries of Ulster were changed, the alteration consisting in
detaching one tier of sections on the north and attaching two tiers
on the south, thus making the township six mileer east and west
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1028 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOITNTT.
and seven miles north and south. The change was made on the
part of the board, it not being petitioned for or even demanded
by the citizens of Ulster.
The present township officers are: Trustees, Orlando McEwen,
Charles Bartz and Henry Hohlsted; Clerk, M. A. Hirsch;
Assessor, JohnH. Crowell; Constable, August Kock and George
Hitz; Justices of the Peace, Edward Crowell and Henry Achem-
back; Supervisors, J. G. Wiggins, 8. N. Crowell, ^ureno Whit-
ney, Simon Koener, Jacob Metz, D. Dickman, William Herbrecht-
meyer, Mathew S. Kramer and George A. Hellman.
RAILROADS.
The northeast corner of the township is crossed by the C, M.
& St. Paul, while the extreme southwest corner is crossed by the
B., C. R. & Northern Railway.
POSTOFFIOK.
In 1857 the first postoffice was established in John Ball's housCi
Mr. John Ball being appointed Postmaster. This was known for
a while as the Ripley postoffice, but owing to the name being similar
to one in Greene County, la., by the name of Rippy, and causing
considerable difficulty in the distribution of mail, they changed
the name to Ulster, which remained unchanged till 1875, when
Mr. Ball resigned his position as Postmaster, and the office was
abandoned. Since then there has been no postoffice in the
township.
Ulster's volitntebrs.
Of the citizens who nobly voluteered their lives in the defense
of our country, we find inscribed upen the roll of honor the
following: L. D. Powers, John Henchett, Edward Crowell, Jr.,
William Clarence Decker, James M. Crowell, Silas W. Crowell,
W. S. Henderson.
These brave boys were never shot in the back; but on every
battle-field of any magnitude in the Mississippi Valley, made their
presence known and felt, as a history of the Thirty-second, Twenty-
seventh and Third Iowa Infantry Volunteers at Pleasant Hill,
Fort Donelson, Fort Robinette, etc., testifies. One of the number,
W. C. Decker, never returned, but fills an unknown grave, on the
bloody battle-field on Pleasant Hill, Mo.
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ULSTBE TOWNSHIP. 1029
WATEB.
Its principal stream is Flood Greek, whose name is taken from
its pecaliarities, being at times nearly void of water, and at others,
a raging, tarbalent river, overflowing its banks. It flows south-
easterly in a meandering coarse, through the center of the town-
ship. In the northern part it affords plenty of water, in the
central and southern part it is subterraneous. There is a small
tributary to Flood Creek, called Spring Creek, emptying in on
section 4, and has its rise in the northwest corner of the township.
Its name originated from the fact of its source being from several
small springs.
Three wooden bridges span Flood Creek within the township.
Good water is found wherever it has been songht, by digging
wells. There are no springs of any note in the township, unless
it be the small ones at the source of Spring Creek as mentioned
above.
THE FJRST DEATH
occurred in August, 1854, Daniel Beaver, Jr. , a boy one year of
age, son of Daniel Beaver, Sen.
OEMETERIES.
There are three in the township. In 1854 the first was laid out
near School-house No. 1.
In 1860 another was enclosed in the northern part of the town-
ship. And in 1875 one near the German church.
OBEAMEBY.
I The only manufactory in the township is a creamery owned by
Mr. O. McEwen & Son, situated on section 32, established
in 1881, using the milk of about 500 cows, and employing
five hands.
The topography of the township is similar to that of the county
and State, being comparatively level, with a few slight elevatious
along the channel of streams, etc. The soil is of a black, sandy loam
of rich quality, partaking some of lime. Several small limestone
quarries have been opened, though the material is not first quality
for building purposes.
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1030 HISTOBY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
TIMBER.
With a few exceptions the only nataral timber is found along
Flood Creeky though artificial groves have been cultivated on
nearly every farm, till the township is now considered well wooded.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The German Methodist Camp-Meeting, held in Ulster, July, 1871,
was a very interesting event. Great interest was manifested, and
many were added to the fold of Christ. There was a full attend-
ance, with as many as nineteen pitched tents, Germans, and even
Americans, coming from all the neighboring townships, and even
connties.
In February, 1862, L. A. Belcher was found frozen to death in
Ulster Township, after having been two weeks buried under the
snow.
June 11, 1860, Mrs. Mary Johnson, wife of W. G. Johnson ^ of
Ulster, was instantly killed by lightning while she was standing in
the house. A husband and two small children were thus bereft.
They had emigrated from Ireland two years previous.
A failure to mention the hard times through which the brave
people of Ulster passed, and the sacrifices they made during this
period, would be an unpardonable omission. Beginning with the
financial crisis of 1857, extending and increasing through the dark
days of rebellion and strife — they indeed had days of sadness and
strife.
BIOOBAPHIOAL.
Henry Aohenhach was born in Germany in 1851, came to Amer-
ica with his brother, Leonard Achenbach, in the year 1852; made
their home in Lake County, III., for about thirteen years. At the
expiration of this time they moved to Floyd County, la. Mr.
Leonard Achenbach made his first purchase in Ulster Township of
2o0 acres, lying on sections 16 and r21. In the year 1876 Henry
A. purchased eighty acres on section 21, and in 1880 he boug^ht
anotlier eighty in same section. He was married in Charles City
in 1875 to Sophia Wolf. They have four children — ^Olara M.,
Anna B., Louis L. and Henry C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Achen-
bach are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a
Bepublican. He has held the office of Township Trustee and Road
Supervisor two years; is School Director, and is now serving his
fourth year as Justice of the Peace.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1081
John Ball wa8 born in Goshen, Orange Countj, N. Y., July 12,
1817. At the age of fourteen Mr. Ball moved with bis parents to
New Jersey, near Newark. He learned the carpenter's trade with
hie father, and at the age of sixteen went to Newark to work. In
August, 1835, in company with his father, moved to Michigan
City, Ind., where he remained one year, when he married Nancy
Glover, who was born in Putnam County, Ind., Jan. 4, 1816.
After their marriage they moved to Lake County, Ind. Here they
remained engaged in farming principally till the year 1863, when
they emigrated to Iowa and located in Ulster Township, Floyd
County, being the first settlers of the township. Here they still
reside, alone as they started, having raised a family of six children,
who have grown up, and are now out in the world tasting of its
bitter and sweet, as they did forty years ago. In the year 1865
Mr. Ball was elected County Jud^re, and has many years filled its
ofiice of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Ball was elected on the first
Board of Supervisors in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are both mem-
bers of the Free Methodist church. Mr. Ball has held the license
of local preacher ever since coming into the State. In the years
1861-^62 under the presiding eldership of John Gould, Mr. Ball
traveled as a supply on the Forfest City Circuit. Their family,
consisting of three sons and three daughters, are all enjoying the
religion of the gospel. Mr. Ball has certainly been a marked
character and a moving power upon the frontier. During the war,
though well up in years, he was determined to enlist and help
Uncle Sam do his threshing, but was refused the job on account of
his age. In spite of this rebuff he joined the Quartermaster's De-
partment and remained for a time, when failing health caused him
to retnrn. Besides being a man of daring spirit, he is one of pub-
lic spirit, and encourages every enterprise tending to the good of
humanity, and has furnished us valuable assistance in compiling
this work. Mr. Bill settled on the northeast quarter of section
10, consisting of 113 acres at present; formerly owned 480.
Charles Bartz was born in Germany in 1852; came to the
United States in company with his father, Wm. Bartz, in 1851
Tiiey located first in Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis. Here
they remained about fifteen years. In 1869 they became citizens
of Floyd County. Charles Bartz made his home with his parent,
in St. Charles Township five years after coming here. In 1874 he
purchased 160 acre3 on section 25, Ulster Township, where he still
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1032 HISTORY OF FLOYD COITNTY.
resides, and built a line house the foUowiDg yea^r. He was married
in Wisconsin, April 30, 1869, to Miss Bertha Dangs, a native of
Germany. They have three children — Matilda, Edward and Walter.
He farms usually about 100 acres and keeps about fourteen head of
cattle, thirty-five hogs and five horses. Politically he is, and al-
ways has been, a Republican; also his father before him; has filled
the office of Township Trustee for more than a year.
John Bell was born in Ireland in 1827. At the age of 21, in
company with three brothers and five sisters, he left Ireland for
Canada. While on the voyage they were taken with a disease called
emigrant's fever. Two of the youngest boys died at sea and
two sisters died soon after reaching Canada. Mr. Bell was taken
to the hospital, but at the expiration of ten days slipped away from
the authorities. Going to the country he secured places for his
brothers and sisters and himself, enga<2:ing as a hand in a tannery
where he remained for three years, when he went to Dixon, 111.,
where he hired wi^h a company who were engaged in building a
dam across Rock River; with them he remained a year and a ha'f;
he then went to Oregon, Wis., and worked till fall, when he returned
to Canada and brought his brothers and sisters to Beloit,
Wis., where he had previously secured places for them. While
at work on Turtle Creek, Wis., repairing a dam he made the
acquaintance of Miss Sarah E. Bagley, who became his wife Oct.
21,1851. She was a native of New York State, being born there
Aug. 25, 1831. The next spring they went to Rockton, III.,
where Mr. Ball worked five years in a paper-mill. From there
they moved to Clayton County, Iowa, where he remained two
years, working as a hand among lumber principally, alterward
moved to this county and farmed. In 1862 went to Pike's Peak,
but finding it unprofitable soon returned and moved to Charles
City, Floyd County, la. In the following spring he rented a
farm in Ulster Township, and farmed as a renter four years. In
the spring of 1868 he purchased a farm of 120 acres on section 4,
Ulster Township, where he still resides. His family con-
sists of two children — Ida May, now the wife of S. H. Matson,
resides in Estherville, Emmett County, Iowa (Mr. Matson is editor
of the Vindicator)] Harry L., the second child, is sixteen and lives
at home. Mr. Ball served thirteen years on the School Board, first
year as Secretary, the balance of the time as President of the board ;
has served as Justice of the Peace two terms and married four
couples, the only persons married by a justice of the peace in the
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1033
town. He has always been a temperance worker, and at present is
the Grand Worthy Assistant of the Sons of Temperance of the State
of Iowa.
W. S. Brigga was born in Tioga County, Penn., in 1842. At
the age of twenty-three he came to Iowa, locating in Oisian, Win-
neshiek County. Taught the village school the first winter.
Afterward engaged as bookkeeper for the firm of Brooks Brothers,
hardwaremeu; with them he remained a year and a half. At the
expiration of this time he went into the Milwaukee & St. Paul
Railroad office, where he remained about four years. Afterward
he went into the employ of a grain dealer by the name of R. N.
Sawyer; with him he remained about a year. At this date, being
in 1872, he went to Michigan, locating permanently in Montcalm
County, where he engaged in the lumbering business, remaining
over four years. In the spring of 1877 he became a citizen of
Floyd County, locating on section 8, Ulster Township, on a farm
of 120 acres, which he purchased in 1866, paying therefor $400.
He sold forty acres of it in 1878. In the years 1877 and 1878 he
built himself a good house. He has his farm under a good state
of cultivation. Mr Briggs received his education at Knoxville Acad-
emy, Pa., afterward attending Osceola Academy, finishing at
the State Normal School of Mansfield. Afterward took a commer-
cial course at Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Briggs was married in
1869 in Michigan to Miss Tina E. Hunter, a native of Michigan,
being born in Lenawee County, in 1844. Their family consists of
three children — Lora H., Lulu A. and an infant son not yet named*
Briggs £. A. Mead,a sister's son, makes his home with Mr. Briggs,
who expects to raise him. Mr. Briggs has been School Director
and is now President of the board. Politically is a Republican.
Eugene S. Brown was born in Hampshire County, Mass. He
is a son of E. T. Brown, who was born in Worcester County, Mass.,
in 1806. In 1832 he married Miss Perses Alone, a native of Berk-
shire County, Mass., born 1807. Their family consisted of five
children, three sons and two daughters. Atherton was killed at
the battle of Sliiloh, at the age of twenty. He was a soldier in
Company K, Third Iowa Infantry. In June, 1854, E. S. Brown
came to Charles City. At that time the cars only came West as
far as Warren. There they took the boat to McGregor, and walked
to Charles City. The year following, 1855, his father, mother,
br«)ther and adopted sister joined him. Mr. Brown remained in
Charles City till 1875. He first engaged as a clerk, but afterward
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10S4 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
engaged as a tarnier. In 1874 Mr. Brown purchased the farm of
140 acres where he still resides, on section 35, Ulster Township,
built his house and made all his improvements. He enlisted in
Company G, Twenty- seventh Iowa, Sixteenth Army Corps, Aug-
ust, 1862, under the command of A. J. Smith; went up the Red
Kiver in assisting General Banks; was with Smith on the Meridian
raid; at Nashville whea Hood came, and previous to that followed
Price through Missouri with Kosecranz; thence to a skirmish
with Forrest at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, where they had an
engagement; started from Montjery, July 16; at Clinton Aug. 9.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown and George Whitehead and wife were the
first and only members for a while of the Baptist church, Charles
City.
A. S. Brownell weLS born in New York State, in 1835; made
that State his home till twenty-nine years of age, when he came
to Iowa, locating in Manchester, Delaware County, where he
worked at his trade four years, he being a carpenter and joiner;
afterward engaged in the stock and grain business about five years.
In 1873 he became a citizen of this county. The first four years
he spent in Charles City engaged in. the stock business. In 1877
he moved upon his farm of 480 acres on sections 27 and 28, Ulster
Township, which he had purchased in 1875. Here he has since
made his home, and a pleasant one it is. Five years ago it was one
unbroken wild prairie, but to a stranger it now bears the appear-
ance of a long-cultivated farm. It is all under a good state of
cultivation, besides being beautifully situated in plain view of
M. & St. P. R. K. and the village of Floyd, though seven miles
away. Mr. Browuell has adorned and embellished this farm with
shade trees, evergreens and fine buildings, so that we are safe in
saying that his farm surpasses all others in the township, and can-
not be excelled anywhere; has in crop over 400 acres, 205 acres
of which is corn; has a complete set of farming implements includ-
ing planters, mowers, harvesters etc. In addition to his extensive
farming he deals largely in stock, keeping usually from 130 to 140
head of cattle, though last year he wintered about 200 head and
fattened fifty; turned off in the spring: about ninety head. Keeps
about 100 head of hogs, and nineteen head of horses. In the State
of New York, in 1855, he and Miss Mary McDonaM were united in
marriage. She was a native of New York State. They have six
children — Charles, Ada, Eiwin, Carrie, Mary and Albert.
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1036
L. B. Clark was born in Orange County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1862.
He was a son of Isaac Clark, who di^ when L. B. Clark was a
mere child. His avocation was that of a laborer. When Mr.
Clark was about twenty-nine years of age he left the State and went
to Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he worked at the trade of
mason, remaining about twelve years. He contracted and hired
hands, a good share of his work being in Kipon. Failing in health,
he determined to abandon his trade, and came to Ulster Township,
Floyd County, and purchased 131 acres on section 18, paying! 10
per acre. At this time it was all wild land, but he has brought
it all under a good state of cultivation, and has made it his home.
In the State of New York, in the year 1850, he and Miss Ann
Amelia Eay were married. They lived happily together till she was
removed by death in the year 1853, while they still resided in
Now York State. They had two children, but both died when
small. Mr. Clark married his second wife in 1860. Her name
was Carrie S. Orr, a native of Scotland, coming to this country
when a child. She made him a good wife, till death with its silent
tread again stealthily crept into Mr. Clark's home, May 1, 1881, and
removed the wife and mother, leaving a family of seven children —
Edwin L., Nellie, Alice, May, Daisy Belle, Charles V., Ida Birda
and Wm. Ernest. Mr. Clark is a man who has nobly fought the
battle of life alone. In his present loneliness his children are
keeping house, and trying to make home pleasant for him. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Clark were members of the Baptist church in Wis-
consin, and also after they came to Iowa. Mr. Clark still maintains
the relationship.
Edward Crowell (deceased) was born in the town of Half Moon,
N. Y., in 1807. When about six years of age he moved with his
parents to Allegany County, N. Y., where he made his home till
about thirty-six years of age. In 1828 he and Miss Esther Felt
were united in marriage. They had five children — Elmina, George
W., Andrew J., Phoebe and Helen M. Mrs. Crowell died in 1840.
In 1841 he married his second wife, Mrs. Caroline (Persons) Capen.
They had nine children — Edward, Abigail, James M., Silas R., JoliTi
H., Oren L., Charles W,, R. Esther and Lily L. Mrs. Crowell had
two children by iier first husband. Their names were Richard W.
and Sylvia Capen. Of this large double family all are still living
except Sylvia, who died in 1860, at the age of twenty-two, and
Esther, who died in 1881, at the age of 29. She was the wife of
Sereno Whitney. In 1856 Mr. Crowell moved with his family to
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1036 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Ulster Township, this county^ where he resided till his death,
which occurred March 11, JL881. Mrs. Crowell still makes the
homestead her abiding place. Of Mr. Orowell it may be said he
was one of the pioneers who helped lay the very foundations of the
history of Floyd County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Orowell were mem-
bers of the M. E. church for thirty years. He was a member of
the T. O. O. F., and started the order in this county.
Edward Crowell^ Jr.^ was born in Oentreville, Allegany
Oounty, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1840. In the year 1843 his father and
family moved to Bloomfield, Walworth Oounty, Wis., where they
remained till 1856, when they came to Floyd Oounty, la., and
located in Ulster Township, upon a farm of 240 acres. Edward
Orowell, Sr., had entered on sections 30 and 31 the year previous.
This property the family call the old homestead. It is here the
family grew to man and womanhood; it is here the father and
mother lived happily together till death broke the ties by remov-
ing Mr. Edward Orowell, Sr., March 12, 1881; and it is here the
mother still lives. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Edward Orowell,
Jr., the subject of this sketch, enlisted in.Oompany O, Twenty-
seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served his full term, be-
ing three years; was mustered out May 6, 1865, at Davenport, la.;
was never wonnded nor taken prisoner, but was a hospital patient
about fifteen months; was very low with typhoid pneumonia and
erysipelas, and we are sorry to have this fact to chronicle that he is
stUl a snfferer from the effects. His army experience was that of the
usnal faithful soldier — hard marches, hot skirmishes, and short
rations, and the usual exhausting and undermining camp-life.
After his return from the army he moved upon his farm of eighty
acres, which he had purchased in 1863, on section 29, Ulster Town-
ship. Here he lived till the year 1880, when he sold and pur-
chased eighty acres on section 31, same township, where he still
resides. He has under cultivation about fifty acres, and has usu-
ally about fifteen head of cattle, four horses and thirty hogs.
June 3, 1864, he and Miss Sarah T. Porter were united in mar-
riage. She was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born in 1846.
They have five children — Dora L., Olarence H., Olyde A., Guy
E. and Ida 0. Politically Mr. Orowell is a sound Republican. Is
at present Justice of the Peace, which he has been for many years,
and has held various township offices. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F.
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LLSTER TOWNSHIP. 1037
John H. CroweU was born in Walworth County, Wis., in 1847.
He is a son of Edward Crowel), who came from Allegany County,
N. Y., to Wisconsin about 184 1-, remaining till 1856, when lie
came to Iowa, and located upon 240 acres which he had bought
the year previous, on sections 30 and 31, Ulster Township, this
county, where he made his home till his death, which occurred in
March, 1881, Edward Crowell, as will be seen by these dates, was
one of Floyd County's pioneers, and his position in those matters of
early date shows that he was a man of public spirit, whose name
will never be forgotten in the histoi^y of this county. The author of
this work was one of his early friends and associates. An item
of interest is well worthy of the space it takes here, and we give it
as related by his son, J. H. Crowell: One day, when he and his
little brother were in the field, W. P. Gaylord came and asked his
father to accompany him that day. In answer to the boys' inquiry
as to where he was going, Mr. Crowell replied that they were go-
ing to set the most important stake in the county, it being the
staking off of th,e court-house ground. This spot was in the geo-
graphical center of the county and near the east line of Ulster Town-
ship. History shows that this place was one of some contest and
contention, and after some hot spirit and solid voting it was placed
upon record as the county seat, by a large majority. But after-
ward some of the Charles City people, and those whose interests
centered there, concluded there was some discrepancy in the vot-
ing, and, without thoroughly testing the technicality, proceeded to
locate the county seat at Charles City and erect public buildings.
J, H. Crowell accompanied his father to this county, and made his
home with him till he was twenty-one years of age. At this date
he married Miss Libbie P/att, a native of New York State, being
bom there in 1852. Their family consists of five children — Jennie
G., Burton L., Irving R, Granville P. and Charles G, aged twelve,
ten, seven, four and one, respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crowell
are members of the Congregational church of Ulster Township.
In the year 1861 he purchased forty acres on section 31, Ulster
Township, where he still resides, and also a forty on section 30,
making a farm of eighty acres, all under good cultivation. He
usually puts in crop of from fifty to sixty acres, and keeps in stock,
all told, about forty head.
S. W. Crowell was bom in Bloorafield, Walworth County, Wis.,
in 1845. He is a son of Edward Crowell, who was one of Floyd
County's pioneers, and whose biography will be found in this
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1088 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOCTNTY.
work. S. W. Orowell became a citizen of Floyd County in 1866 ;
made his first purchase of real estate in 1864. This was a tract of
forty acres on section 30, Ulster Township ; this he afterward sold
and bought eighty acres on section 29, which he also sold. He
again made a purchase of forty acres on section 31. -This he also
soon sold, each transaction yielding him a fair profit. In the
year 1866 he purchased fifty acres on section 5, where he now
resides. In 1873 he bought forty acres on section 31, adjoining
his other land, making a farm of ninety acres. He usually puts
in crop about sixty acres, and keeps about six head of cattle, two
horses, and from fifty to seventy hogs. He was married in Oiiarles
City in 1871 to Esther A. Collins, a native of New York, bom in
1841. They have two children — Ralph, aged five years, and
Nellie, aged two. Politically Mr. Crowell is a Greenbacker ; has
held the ofSce of Assessor for two years.
C. Dmkd was born in Wurtember>(, Germany, in 1839 ; came
to America in 1856, locating first in Dodge County, Wis., where
he spent about four years working as a farm hand ; from thence
he went to Marathon Coui»ty, where he owned a piece of timber.
Here he remained about efjght years engaged in the lumber
business as a hand. In the year 1868 he became a citizen of
Floyd County ; purchased same year eighty acres on section 14,
Ulster Township, where he still resides ; has since added to his
original purchase eighty acres ; forty was bought in 1872 and forty
in 1874. The location and soil and improvements of this farm
number it among the best in the county. He used to farm as high
as eighty and ninety acres of wheat, but the crop proving an
unprofitable one he now farms only about twenty-five. Has in
corn fifty acres, and twenty-two in oats. In addition to farming,
Mr. Dinkel makes stock-raising quite an item, and expects to go
into it even more extensively. Keeps on an average about twenty-
five head of cattle, and from thirty to forty ho^j^p, and four head of
horses. Mr. Dunkel was married in Wisconsin, in 1866, to Mies
Paulina Kopplin, a native of Germany. They have eight children
— Bertie, Mary, Anna, Carl, Otto, Clara, Lena and Huldah.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dinkel are members f the Lutheran church.
John Drager was born in Germany in 1842, and came to the
United States about the year 1868, locating first in Wisconsin,
working on the farm as a hand about five years, then rented a
piece of land one year. In the fall of 1874 he became a citizen of
Floyd County, la., and purcliased a farm of fr rty acres on section 3,
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ITLSTEB TOWNSHIP. 1039
Ulster Township, where he still resides. *He has since bought
105 acres, making a farm of 145, that is as good as the county
affords; farms about sixty-five acres usually, putting out about
ten acres of wheat, thirty-five of oats, and sixteen of corn. He
farms in addition to this, thirtj-four acres of com, five of oats, and
fifteen of wheat. He was married in Wisconsin in 1869 to Miss
Augusta Grete. They have seven children, four boys and three
girls — Amel, Frank, Emma, Elizabeth, Lena, Charles and George.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Drager are members of the Methodist church.
Herman Eichmeier was born in Germany in 1838. At the age
of eighteen he came to America, locating first in Freeport, 111.,
where he remained about thirteen years, engaged in farming prin-
cipally, though part of the time he was engaged in making brick.
In the year 1871 he came to Floyd County, Iowa, and purchased
his present farm of eighty-three acres, where he now resides, in
Ulster Township. In 1878 he made another purchase of eighty
acres adjoining his other. For the first he paid $1,800; for the
second, $1,050, the last being unimproved land. Floyd County
farmers have generally found both grain and stock farms tx) be the
most profitable. This year Mr. Eichnieier has in crop twenty acres
of wheat, seventeen of oats, forty-three of corn, and thirty of grass;
keeps about twenty head of cattle, forty hogs and seven horses.
Mr. Eichmeier was married in Freeport, 111., in 1866, to Miss
Caroline Bicker, a native of Germany, being born there in 1847.
Their family consists of five children — William H., Salmon A.,
Henry, Hermon and Anna Mary. Both are members of the
Methodist church. He votes the Republican ticket.
F. W. Qabel was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1839. In 1864
became to the United States with his father and motlier, John and
Josephine Gabel. There was of the family nine children. Here
in Wisconsin Mr. F. Gabel spent the first fourteen years. A little
instance of his life is well worthy of mention here, to illustrate how
a man'may start from nothing and by energy and perseverance wring
from the hard hand of toil an independent fortune: At the age of
sixteen he, in company with another lad of his own age, started
from home with a lunch between them, and only ten cents to bear
expenses. This was the possession of Mr. Gabel. They walked
to Kosedale, a distance of 35 miles. Failing to find work they
returned, still holding on to the ten cents. These are remembered
by Mr. Gable as being the hardest times it has ever been his lot to
pass throncrh. In 1^6« he became a citizen of Floyd County. The
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1040 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
sarae year purchased eighty acres on section 14, Ulster Township,
where he still resides. To this he has since added 320 acres, making
one of the largest and best farms in the county. In 1875 he built
the finest house in the township, and the county affords no better.
He not only has its surroundings beautified with shade and eyer-
green trees, symmetrically arranged, bnt he has the inside beauti-
fully furnished and ornamented with modern art. Of this large
farm all is under cultivation except eighty acres of timber and
pasture land. He puts in crops yearly 320 acres, besides keeping
seventy-three head of cattle, and about 100 head of hogs and ten
head of horses. Mr. Gabel was married May 5, 1868, to Miss
Agnes Devilla. She was a native of Belgium, born there in 1847.
They have four children — Devilla, John, George and Freddie.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gable are members of the Catholic church.
August GelJiaua was born in Germany, July 5, 1847. In 1873
he came to America, locating first in JUinois. In December, 1873,
he became a citizen of Floyd County, purchasing his farm of eighty
acres, on section 19, Ulster Township, where he still resides. He
built a nice barn in 1877. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres on
section 29; has in corn seventy acres, wheat twelve, oats thirty,
hay twelve, and rye ten; has six horses, seventeen cattle and
sixty hogs. Dec. 15, 1873, he and Miss Wilhelmina Winter were
married. They have four children — Augast, Lydia, Clara and Ma-
tilda. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gelhaus are members of the Methodist
church. Politically he is a sound Republican.
jS! K HancheU was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May
18, 1830. At the age of four he moved witli his father to
Cuyahoga County, O., where they remained ten years. From
there they moved to Walworth County, Wis., where E. H. made
his home about twelve years, engaged in farming. At the expira-
tion of this time E. H. Hanchett came to Iowa, locating upon a
farm of eighty acres, which he purchased of the Government in^-
1855, section 29, Ulster Township. Here he has since resided,
making him one of Floyd County's pioneers, and one of the very
first settlers of Ulster Township. Has added to this first purchase
five acres of timber. Built himself a good farm hou^^e in 1870.
With the exception of a few oak-trees he set out all that now so
beautifully surrounds his house. He has indeed a nice farm and
pleasant home. Has under cultivation about sixty acres. In
Walworth County, Wis., Feb. 25, 1858, he and Miss Caroline
Bessee were united in marriage. She was a native of Michigan.
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DL8TER TOWNSHIP, 1041
They have five children — Allen, Lanson, Lucinda, Silas and Nellie*
Of Mr. Hanchett we are pleased to say he is not only one of the
first men in this county in point of time, bnt one of the first in
society and in the interests of agricaltare and the county generally.
G. F. JSeUzwe^ born in Jo Daviess County, III., Dec. 11, 1865.
He is a son of John Heitz, who, in the year 1868, purchased 183
acres on section 2, Ulster Township, Floyd County, where G. F.
Heitz and his brother, John Heitz, Jr., now reside. In the year
1&76 G. F. Heitz q^ine to Ulster Township and worked about one
year on a farm. That fall he returned to Illinois, there he remai led
till the following March, when he, in company with his father and
family, moved to Floyd County, la., where his father stQl resides.
In the fall G. P. returned to Illinois, and the 19th of February was
married to Miss Mary Haas, who was also born in Jo Daviess
Qounty, 111. This same spring he and wife moved to Charles City,
remaining only a short time, when he moved on to the piece of
land formerly purchased by his father in Ulster Township; he and
his brother each buying a half of 183 acres. In the year 1869 Mr.
Heitz built himself a pleasant residence. His farm is one of the
good ones of Floyd County. Up till the present he has turned his
attention principally to farming, but recently has turned his mind
toward stock-raising. This year he has thirty acres of corn,
eighteen acres of oats, fifteen acres of wheat, and twenty-eight
acres in hay. Has on hand fifty head of hogs, eight head of
cattle, and four horses. His family consists of two children — John
William and an infant daughter. Is a sound Bepublican. Is at
present the Constable of Ulster County.
John HeitZj Jr.^ was born. in Jo Daviess County, III., Jan. 30,
1862. He is a son of John Heitz, Sr., who is now a resident of St.
Charles Township, Floyd County. In the year 1875 John Heitz,
Jr., left Illinois and came to Floyd County, and worked the first
summer for Mr. Blunt, near Charles City. The spring following
he moved upon the north half of the 183 acres his father had pre-
viously purchased on section 2, Ulster Township. This same spring
he purchased this tract of land from his father. In the fall previ-
ous to moving upon the farm hebuilt himself a pleasant residence,
where he still resides. His farm has the appearance of thrift and
of being under the care of a model farmer. He makes farming his
principal avocation. This year has in crop fourteen acres wheat;
oats, twenty; corn, thirty-five; one-half acre potatoes; has five head
of cattle; usually keeps twenty-five or thirty hogs and three horses.
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1042 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
He was married in 1876 to Anna Sabina Toepfer, a native of
Germany, born May 6, 1850. Their family consists of three chil-
dren— Henry John, Anna Elizabeth, Emma Loaisa. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Heitz are members of the Methodist church. Politically he
is a Republican. •
Mathias August Hirsoh.weia born in Grant County, Wis., March
4, 1853. He is a son of Fredric flirsch, who emigrated to this
country in 1847, from Germany, locating in Illinois; moved to
Grant County, Wis., the following year, wher^ he remained till
his death, which occurred in the year 1866, leaving a family of Ave
sons and one daughter. In 1875 M. A. Hirsch married Emma
Stoeber, a native of Grant County, Wis., being born there in 1854.
The family consists of three sons— Irving S., Henry W., Charles A.
Mr. Hirsch owns a nice place of forty acres which he purchased in
1874, all under fine cultivation and improvements; his buildings
and surroundings surpassing many older homes and in older
counties. Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch are both members of the German
M. E. church. Mr. Hirsch is an old-time sound Republican.
C. W, Hudson was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1830. When
a young man he received a common-school education. He re-
mained in New York till about twenty-four years of age engaged
in farming, principally in Steuben, Wayne and Oneida counties. In
the year 1855 he went to Ogle County, 111., where he worked by
the month and day as a farm hand, remaining about four years.
In the winter of 1859 he became a citizen of Floyd Cjunty, thus
making him one of its pioneers. Located in Ulster Township. The
first season rented a piece of land on section 30. Afterward rented
for two years the farm of 140 acres which he now owns and where
he resides, section 30, Ulster Township. This purchase was made
in the fall of 1865, paying $1,090. Has since erected good farm
buildings; has a splendid barn, built only last summer, 36 x 60. He
used to put out twenty-five and thirty acres of wheat; oats, fifteen;
from sixty to seventy acres of corn. His farm is about the same
now, with the exception of wheat, which he does not find profitable
to raise. Of late years has turned his attention more to stock,
keeping about twenty-five head of cattle, and from sixty to
eighty hogs. Jn Rockford, Winnebago County, 111., July 5, 1858,
he and wife, Susan Hellman, were united in marriage. They have
no family. He votes the Republican ticket, and has several years
held the office of Trustee. Though he never learned the trade he
built his own barn, never drawing a draft.
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ULSl-ER TOWNSHIP. 1043
Thofnas W. Johnson was born in England in 1826; came to the
United States in the fall of 1877; spent the first two years in company
with his son, George W., and his wife, upon the farm of his deceased
brother, WilbertG., anacconntof which is given in the biography
of W. R. Johnson. Ii^ the spring of 1880 Mr. Johnson bonght
eighty, acres of R. M. Oarry,on section 26, Ulster Township, where
he still resides. Besides this eighty, he and his son, George W.,
farm the adjoining eighty. Mr. Johnson's farm is well calculated
for stock; near a herd yard, and plenty open prairie. He has a
nice house and pleasant surroundings. In England Thomas W.
Johnson was married to Miss Mary Capaw in the year 1854. They
have seven children — Anna Mary, Jane Annetta, George Willis,
Elizabeth Chapman, Zilpah Lydia, Henry Theophilus, and Nellie.
Mr. Johnson's wife and family are still in England, except George
W. (who married Alice Jane Napels, a native of England; they
keep house for his father; they have, two children — Florence Anna
and Julia Annetta), and a daughter, Jane Annetta, who married
Oren Bowen, a son of Mr. Bowen, of Rockford Township. They
reside in Fargo, Dak. Previous to coming to America Mr. John-
son had been connected with the dry-goods and shipping business
in Manchester, England, for about twenty years, with one of the
largest firms of the city, A. and S. Henry & 0 o.who shipped large
quantities of goods to New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Thir-
teen millions of sterling in amount of goods were sometimes
shipped in twelve months. Mr. Johnson returned to England in
the fall of 1882 to see his family and mother, who still resides there
at the advanced age of eighty-five. He is her only surviving child
of a family of five children.
W. jB. Johnson was bom in Ulster Township in 1858. He was
a son of W. G. Johnson, whopame from England in 1856 and pur-
chased a farm of 380 acres in Ulster Township. Upon this farm
he made many improvements — hauled brick from Waverly, a dis-
tance of fifty miles, and built a two-story brick house, 16 x 20,
with a one-story L, the base of which was nearly as large
as the two-story part; he also built a log stable, 18 x 28.
Here he and his wife made their home about four years,
when Mrs. Johnson was killed by lightning while standing in the
stairway of her house. Shortly after this. event Mr. Johnson and
his son, W. R., went to Chicago to live, renting the farm; returned
in 1867, and lived here till the fall of 1869, when they both returned
to Yorkshire, England, and there Mr. J ohnson Sif, died in 1876,
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1044 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
In the fall of 1877 Mr. Johnson, accompanied "by an ancle and
cousin, returned to America to look after his interests in the West.
During his absence the place had been lying idle, and ho found
that the neiglibors had hauled the house almost entirely away. The
scarcity of brick of course made a valid excuse, but the stealing of
the log stable and a log house in the woods in the midst of timber
scarcely excuses the act. His uncle and cousin assisted in the care
of the farm till 1880, when W. R. assumed control, and has since
that time been manager and proprietor of three fourths of the farm,
having a sister in England. H^ has 140 acres under cultivation.
While in England he spent eighteen months on the sea; visited
Australia and San Francisco in a sailing vessel, touching Ireland
on the return voyage. In 1881 he again visited England. He was
married in the spring of 1881, in Charles City, to Miss Mary
Blunt.
August Koch was born in Germany, in 1841. He was a son of
Christian £och, a native of Germany, who died there in 1875. At
the age of twenty-eight August Kooh came to the D'nit'3d States,
locating first in Wisconsin, where he remained about two years,
working as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time he became
a citizen of Ulster Township, Floyd County, la., where he spent
the first summer as a farm hand; afterward rented a farm and
continued as a renter for about four years. In 1876 he purchased
eighty acres in Union Township, where he remained one year,
when he sold it at an advance of his purchase price. In 1877 he
purchased eighty acres where he still resides, on section 17, Ulster
Township. The same year he built himself a good residence, and
put the farm under a good state of cultivation. His surroundings
are very pleasant, and he now owns one of the good farms and en-
joyable homes of Floyd County. In January, 1880, he purchased
a nice piece of timber of five acres. He used to put out from fitly
to sixty acres in wheat, but late years only eighteen or twenty
acres. At present he has about thirty-two acres of corn ; oats about
ten; has about thirteen head of cattle, thirty-five hogs, and four
head of horses. In Germany, in 1867, he and Miss Minnie Sthal,a
native of Germany, were united in marriage. Their family con-
sists of six children — Minnie, John, Emma, Albert, Otto and
Herman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Koch are members of the Methodist
church. Politically Mr. Koch is a Republican, and is at present
Constable in Ulster Township; has held the oflice of Supervisor
and School Director. Of Mr. Koch we are pleased to say we find
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1046
him one of Floyd County's model farmers, and a man of energy.
He has by his own exertions broaght himself from the position of
dependence to that of independence.
August Koehler was born in Germany in 1838; came to America
in 1866, locating first in Wisconsin, where he remained two years,
working as a farm hand. He afterward rented a farm, which he
ran abont eight years. In 1874 he came to Floyd County, and
rented a farm in St. Charles Township one year. In 1876 he pur-
chased the farm of eighty acres where he still resides, on section
17, Ulster Township. In the year 1882 he repaired his house,
making indeed a pleasant home, surrounded by a fine grove. He
owns one of the good farms of Floyd County, and has it under a
fine state of cultivation. He has in wheat twenty five acres; oats,
sixteen acres; corn, twenty-two acres, besides twenty he is working
on another farm. His stock consists of two horses, fourteen head
of cattle and eighteen head of hogs. In 1866, in Wisconsin, Mr.
Koehler and Miss Amelia Koehler were united in marriage. Their
family consists of seven children — Ida, William, Minna, Henry,
Albert, Mertie, and an infant daughter not yet named. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Koehler are members of the Methodist church. Politi-
cally he is a Kepublican.
Henry Koehler was born in Prussia in 1840. At the age of
twenty-six he came to the United States, locating in Wisconsin
and remaining there four years. In 1870 he purchased the farm
of 160 acres where he still resides, on section 3, Ulster Town-
ship, Floyd County, la. In 1870, in Wisconsin, he married Miss
Louisa Otterstine, also a native of Prussia, being born there in
1848. She came to Wisconsin at the age of eight years. Their
family consists of six children — Emma, Emil, Frank, Charles,
Bertie and George. Both Mr. and Mrs Koehler are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Koehler has been Super-
visor and is now School Director. Politically he is a Republican.
In 1862-'63 he was a private in the Prussian army.
Henry KoM%taeAt was born in Germany in 1842, and came to
America in I860. The first four years in this country were spent
near Frankfort, 111., where he worked as a farm hand. One of
the strongest inducements his mother had to leave the old country,
WAS to free her sons from the army requirements. But to her
' astonishment, all of her three sons enlisted in the war for the
Union. Henry Koehlstaedt enlisted Jan. 16, 1864, Company C,
Forty sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country two
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1046 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOITNTV.
years; held the office of Corporal che last six months; was never
wounded, taken prisoner nor in the hospital a day in his life. After
his army life he returned to his Illinois iiomeand farmed two years.
Parchased eighty acres on section 16, Ulster Township, this county,
in August, 1868; moved upon it in October. Has added to his first
possessions till now he owns 166 acres of as good land as lies in Floyd
County. Puts in a crop of usually twenty acres of wheat, but formerly
raised high as sixty and seventy acres ; has forty-five in corn and
twenty in oats; has thirty-two head of cattle, seventy -fivehogs and
five horses. Was married in Illinois in 1866, to Miss Caroline
Venneolt, a native of Germany; came to this country with parents
when she was one year old. They have seven children — ^William,
Martha, £mil, Ida, Samuel, Henry and Sarah. Both are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a local preacher in
the same.
Simon Koemer was born in Germany in 1841 ; came to America
Sept. 4, 1873, locating first in Stephenson County, 111., where he
purchased forty acres of land and farmed two and one-half years,
when he sold his farm and came to Floyd County, la., and bought
the farm ot* 160 acres where he still resides, in Ulster Township,
section 7. In 1878 he built one of the finest houses in Floyd County
and built a fine barn in 1881. Has always found stock-raising
and farming, run together, the most profitable. Heretofore he
has raised usually from fifty to sixty aeres'of wheat, ten to twelve
acres of oats, and sixty to seventy acres of corn. He usually
keeps about twelve head of milch cows and about the same num-
ber of young cattle, fifty head of hogs and five horses. His motto
is that ** well-fed stock pays the best." Mr. Koernerwas married in
Germany in 1869 to Miss Wilhelmina Gelhaus. Their family con-
sists of six children — Charles, Emil, William, Edward, Minna, and
an infant son not yet named. Both Mr. and Mrs. Koerner are
members of the German Methodist church. Their children can
all read and speak both the English and German languages. Of
Mr. Koerner we are pleased to say he has by industry wrunji: from
the hard hand of toil one of the finest farms and homes of Floyd
County. Has held the position of Supervisor. Politically he is a
Republican.
Charles A, Lenz was born in Germany in 1822. In 1841 he
came to America, locating in Wiaconsin, where he remained three
years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Floyd County,
Iowa. He purchased the farm of sixty acres where he still resides.
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOn. LENOX AND
TILDEN rOUNDATIOWS
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1049
in [Jlster Township. Built a fine residence in 1874, the year after
he moved npon his land. Mr. Lenz was married in Germany, in
1847, to Miss Doratha Koehler. The family consists of six chil-
dren— Fred W., Ernest H., Caroline, Amelia, Henry and Augusta.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are members of the Methodist church.
Politically he is a Republican. His children all speak and read
English.
Jf . F. Leasm was born in Germany, Oct. 25, 1837; came to this
country in 1865, and stopped the first four years in Wisconsin.
In the spring of 1869 he came to Floyd County, and worked on
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad during the summer.
In the fall he purchased sixty acres in Ulster Township, where he
still resides. In the fall of 1875 he purchased fifty-four acres adjoin,
ing his other land. Here he has lived since first coming into the
State with the exception of the years 1873-'75. He traveled as preach-
er in the German Methodist church; was at Shell Rock, Iowa, and on
the Mountain Lake Circuit, Minn.; was a local preacher twelve
years. In the year 1865, in Germany, Mr. Lessin and Miss Minna
Swartz were united in marriage. She only lived about one year,
leaving one child — August Fredric, now fifteen years of age. Mr.
Lessin married his second wife in Wisconsin in 1869; her name
was Louisa Sette. She was also born in Germany and came to
this country with her parents at about the age of thirteen. Bj
this union they .have seven children — Augusta, Amelia, Charles,
Fredric, John Henry, Emiel Ernest, Bertie, Rosena and Lydia
Emma. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lessin are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Politically is a Republican.
John Lines was born in Warwickshire, England, May 3, 1834.
In the spring of 1852 he came to America, locating first in Ogle
County, HI., where he remained about one year; moved then to
De £alb County, and remained about two years, working as a
farm hand all the time. In the month of April, 1855, he became a
citizen of Floyd County, working by th^ month the first two
years. In the spring of 1855 he pre-empted eighty acres in Ulster
Township, bought ten acres of timber in Union Township. In
1857 he commenced improving and farming this place. In 1876
he built npon it a good farm house and other buildings. Has
added to his first purchase eighty acres, making one of Floyd
Counties best one-quarter section farms. Has always found stock
more profitable than farming, keeps about seventeen head of cattle;
64
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1960 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
hogs, eighty head, and horses, ten head. In fonner years
he nsed to put out fifty acl'es of wheat, but finding it an unprofit-
able crop has this year only thirteen acres, with com seventy-
five, Ofitd forty, and fifteen of meadow. In 1859 he and
Mrs. Fanny Hillman (widow of James Hillman, deceasedjwere
united in marriage. Tlieir family consists of five children —
John William, Jennie M., Charles Henry, Mary E., and Lizzie
D. Both Mr. anJ Mrs. Lines are members of the Christian church.
Politically we find Mr. Lines a sound Republican; aspires to no
ofiice, though he does his share of holding towudhip positions in
gdiool afiairs.
William Lin-es^ Jr.^ was born in England in 1832; came to
America in 1853, locatinsr first in Ogle County, 111., where he
remained about three years engaged as a farm hand. In 1856 he
became citizen of Floyd County, and worlftd the first three years
as a farm hand. In 1859 he bought on time his present farm of
eighty acres, situated on section 29, Ulster Township. In 1863
he built a good farm house; in 1880 built a fine barn. He has im-
proved this farm and beautified it with nice groves and shade trees
till it is numb3red among Floyd County's best^farms and pleasant
homes. Keeps five head of horses, ten head of cattle and forty-two
hogs. Puts out thirty-five acres of corn; oats, twenty; wheat, ten.
On Feb. 13, 1877, he and Miss Mattie Roschen were united in mar-
riage. They have two little sons — William H. and Frederic A.,
ages fonr and two. Politically he is a Republican.
O. McEwen was bom in Ulster County, N. Y., May 18, 1833.
At the age of twenty three he came to Iowa, locating on Flood
Cretk, Ulster Township, section 32, where he had, two years
previously, entered 200 acres at Government price, being $1.25
per acre. This he improved and afterward disposed of a portion.
At present he owns 200 acres of choice farminoj land, well improved^
and supplied with buildings surpassing many in older counties.
Mr. McEwen has principally been engaged in farming. In 1831
he started a creamery, working up the milk of about 600 cows into
butter. He expects to add to it a cheese apparatus. Mr. McEwen
has not only been a man who could look well after his own
business, but has most of the time since coming to the county
hehl some oflSce of trust lor the people; viz.. Township Clerk,
Trustee, etc., besides holding the position of Sunday-school Super-
intendent for the past twenty years. Nov. 29, 1857, he and
Phoebe Crowell were united in marriage. She was also a native
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UL8 IKR TOWNSHIP. 1061
of New York State, being born in Allegany County ifa 1836.
Their family consists of four children — Elbridi/e O., Fred H., Kena
and Gertie, ages twenty-three, tv«?enty-one, fllteen and six respect-
ively. Both Mr. and Mrs. McEwen are members of the Oi>n-
gregational church. They not only enjoy the respect of their
neighbors, but the love of their cliildren, and a hope in the world
to 00 re as well as a pleasant home here.
Wl Z. McEvoen was born in Ulster County, N. Y. , Jan. 19, 1831,
In May, 1856, he, in company with two brothers, came to Iowa.
W. L. McEwen located upon a piece of land in Ulster Township
which he had entered two years previous, his brother, O. McEwen,
securing the Government deed. On this tract of land Mr. Mc-
Ewen still resides, being situated on section 32. He received a
practical business education in the ^ast, and has most of the
time since coming West been engaged in teaching school, which
avocation, we are pleased to state, we fi)und him engaged in, assist-
ing in laying broad and deep the future history of the West.
Nov. 30, 1853, he and Harriet Rhinehart were united in marriage.
She was also a native of New York State, being born in UUtor
County, July 4, 1832. Their family consists of three sons and one
daughter — John Howard, Charles Eugene, Elmer Elsworth and
Florence May; ages, twenty-six, twenty-four, twenty-one and thir-
teen respectively. Howard is married, and keeps the Putnam
House at Rockwell. Engene also married and has been a partner .
in the firm of Egsjert &^ McEwen, publishers of the Rockford
jReveille. The other children are at liome. Both Mr. and Mrs.
McEwen are members of the Congregational clmrch. Mr. Mc-
Ewen was elected Township Clerk at the first election, and has
held that position till within the last two years; is at present Town-
ship Secretary. He was born with the Republican party.
Jacob Metz was born in Ohio in 1849. He was a son of Mr. John
George Metz, who moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1854.
Here Jacob Metz made his home till Sept. 28, 1876, when he
became a citizen of Floyd County. At this date he purchased forty
acres on section 9, Ulster Township; has since purchased twenty-
two acres, making in all sixty-two acres. He built a good house in
1877, and has made many improvements, till now he has indeed a
good farm and pleasant home. He has about seven acres in wheat,
two in oats, eighteen in corn, besides fifteen he farms outside. He
was married in Wisconsin in 1869 to Betsy M. Liske, a native of
Germany. She came to this country when a child two years of
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1052 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
age. They have live children — Emma M., William G.. Anna M.,
Martha and Lillj. Both Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the
Lutheran church. Politically he is a Democrat.
John, MoU was born in Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany, June
17, 1832. In 1857 he came to America, locating first in Colum-
bus, Wis., where he worked by the day and month for about five
years. Afterward handled wheat in a warehouse for buyers about
four years, then teamed for himself about five years, which he
found quite profitable. In Columbus he built himself a good
home, which he sold in 1870, and came to Ulster Township, Floyd
County, and purchased 120 acres, where he still resides on section
28. He commenced improving his land, and soon had it under
cultivation and adorned with shade trees, etc. In 1875 he purchased
an adjoining eighty acres, on section 27. He used the splendid
wheat crop of 1878 to build himself a fine residence and barn.
Again, in 1882, he purchased another eighty acres which joined
his farm on the north, on section 28. We have had the pleasure of
seeing this property, and must say that when the fine house and
barn and its beautiful surroundings are considered, together with
the beautiful laying land, and under such prime cultivation, with
fine looking crops, that it is not only one of the finest farms and
homes in the State, but ono of the grandest that it has ever been
our privilege to behold. He raises about forty acres of wheat,
forty-five acres of corn, and thirty -nine of oats, and cuts from fifty
to sixty tons of hay. Keeps from thirty to forty head of cattle and
about one hundred head of hogs, and seven head of horses. Was
married in Wisconsin, Jan. 10, 1861, to Miss Ustina Spicker, a
native of Germany. They have five children — Mary, Henry,
Frank, Lena and Benjamin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moll are members
of the Methodist church. Mr. Moll is politically a Republican.
H, H. Myers was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1843, where
he made his home till he was twenty-one years of age. At this
date he started West to see what it promised; spent the year 1864
in Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1865 he purchased eighty acres
on section 32, Ulster Township, where he has since resided. Of
this eighty he sold forty acres, and purchased eighty more on sec-
tion 29. In the year 1867, at Rockford, Mr. Myers and Miss
Emma J. Piatt were united in marriage. She was a native of
Otsego County, N. Y., born there in 1849. They have a family of
four children — John G., Nellie A., Maud A. and Jerome P. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Congregational society of
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UL8TEB TOWNSHIP. 1063
Ulster Township. He is a good sound Kepablican, but says he
likes farming better than politics.
T. Pippin was born in Shelby, Ohittenden County, Vt, in 184S.
He is a son of Joseph and Matilda Pippin, both natives of Oanada,
and emigrated to Vermont about the year 1837 or 1838. Here
Mr. Pippin remained till his death, which occurred in 1879, in
the mouth of September. His wido^ still resides in Chittenden
County. At the age of saventeen, T. Pippin, thi subject of this
sketch, enlisted in Company D, Tenth Vermont Volunteers, July
23, 1862; served his country till Jnly 4, 1865, when he was dis-
charged. He was in thirteen general engagements, as follows:
Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Tolopatamy Creek, Cold
Harbor and Petersburg, Va.; Monocacy, Md.; Opequon Creek,
Fisher's Hill, Cedlar Creek, capture of Petersburg, and Sailor's
Creek, Va. His principal marches were: October, 1863, when Lee
drove the army from Culpepper, Va., to Washington; the
march through the Wilderness^ and the marches of Sheri-
dan. The last march was to Ap]>omattox, at the capture of Gen
era! Loe. Mr. Pippin was one of the profitable soldiers; he was
always on duty with the exception of a week he was in a hospital
with typhoid fever; was never taken prisoner nor wonnded; was hit
with a spent ball from a spherical case, but received no injury.
After his return from the army he went to California, remaining
one summer, engaging in the dairy business. In the fall he went
to Silver City, Nev. Here he remained three years and a half,
working in the quartz mills. In April, 1870, he returned to
Shelby, Vt., where he remained only about four mouths, when he
went to Columbia County, Wis., where he purchased ninety acres
of land, and farmed about two years, wlien he sold his farm and
returned to Silver City, Nev., and worked three years and a half
in the quartz mills. Then he went to Iowa in search of a home,
and settled in Floyd County, purchasing ninety acres on section 7,
Ulster Township; now owns 100 acres. This year he has in corn
thirty acres; oats, eight acres. Has in a crop on an adjoining 160
acres bslonging to Mrs. Mary Wright, oats, fifty; wheat, twelve,
and corn, fifcy acres. |His stock consists of eight cows, ten head of
young cattle, and four horses. Aug. 15, 1870, in Burlington, Vt.,
he and Miss Julia Edwards were united in marriage. She is a
native of Vermont. Their family consists of two children — Agnes
and Florence. Mr. Pippin is a sound Republican, but holds a
lively contempt for office.
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1064 HI8TOKY OF FLOYD COUNIT.
B, F. Porter, Jr,^ was born in New York in 1850. At the age
of sixteen he came with his father, B. F. Porter, Sr., to Iowa, and
located in Flojd County, St. Charles Township, where he still
resides. In the year 1876, B. F. Porter, Jr., piircliased the farm
of eiiifhty acres, where he still resides, on section 36, Ulster Town-
ship. Has made all the improvements, which are many ; ha^
plmted fruit and shade trees, and built himself a good house.
Mr. Porter was married in 1871 to Miss Joana M. Hunter, a native
of New York State. They have three children — Geneva, Nellie
and Rilph.
M, Prall was born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1831 ; mude
that State his ho;ne till thirteen years of age, when he moved with
his father, Edward Prall, to Pennsylvania, where he lived eighteen
years, when he moved to Wisconsin, where he spent about one
year. From here he went to Minnesota, and remained three yeirs,
engaged in farming 160 acres which he had purchased. In 1860
he sold this farm and m>ved to Nebraska, and remained nine
months, when he went to Howard County, la., and farmed three
years. At the expiration of this time he went again to Wisconsin,
remained eighteen months and returned to Iowa, locating at Win-
neshiek County, where he bought forty acres, and farmed nearly
two years. In 1868 he became a citizen of Floyd County, pur-
chasing IGO acres on sections 2> and 37, Ulstsr Township, where
he still lives. Of this farm and home wj can but say that it is
indeed beautifully located and situated, being in full view of the
M. & St. P. R R., five and a half miles from Floyd, and four
from Rudd, and only eight from the county seat. Has his farm
all under a fine state of cultivation ; has usually in crop about 100
acres Keeps about fifteen head of cattle and forty-five head of
hogs, and seven head of horses. Ha was married in 1857 to
Mary Raymond, a native of Vermont. They have two children —
Eliza Jane and Clinton Edward, ages twenty-four and eighteen
respectively. Of Mr. Prall we are pleased to say that we find
him a very pleasant man, enjoying life, and the owner of one of
Floyd County's good farms, as every early settler deserves.
William Roachen was born in Germany, July 10, 1846 ; came
to America in 1865,Jstopping in New York City the ti-'^t six years ;
was engaged at the carpenter's trade five years, working the most
of the time in factories. The sixth year he studieJ veterinary
surgery. In 1871 he became a citizan of Floyd County. Since
corainghere he has been engaged in buying and impro/ing farms ;
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1066
has owned some eleven farms in all. In 1875 he bought eighty
acres on section 28. Bailt a nice house in 1874, which was
destroyed by fire in 1879. He immediately rebuilt, placing a fine
house upon the ruins of the old one. Has just completed a
splendid barn. Has beautified his surroundings with shade and
fruit trees and flowers, till now he has one of the finest farms and
pleasantest homes in the county. In the city of NewYork, in
1867, he and Miss Mattie Hanins were united in marriage. They
have two children — Rebecca and Martha. Both Mr. and Mrs*
Eoschen are members of the Lutheran church. At this writing
we find Mr. Rosclien engaged in the building of a large barn for
his neighbor, Zwack. Most of his time is engaged as a car-
penter. He is the veterinary doctor of the township.
James Roberts was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Sans-
burg Township, April 15, 1832. Till about twenty-five years
of age he made his home with his father, Thomw Roberts,
who was engaged in the lumbering business principally. In the
year 1857 James Roberts went to Wausan, Wis., whera he engaged
in the lumber business about two yaars. At the expiration of
this time he went to Ripon, Wis., where he engaged in farming,
remaining about six years. At this date he beoams a citizen of
Charles City remaining about one year, engaged in farming. At
the expiration of this time he purchased 130 acres for $10 per
acre on section 32, Ulster Townsiiip, where he still resides; ha^
since added to his farm till he now owns 240 acres, all nnder goed
cultivation, and one of the good farms of Floyd County. June 7,
1862, Mr. Roberts and Miss Louisa Shafer were united in marriage
They have a family of six children, four sons and two daughters.
Both Mr. and Mrs. R>berts are members of the Methodist church.
Politically he is a Republican.
William Schunemann was born in Germany in 1832. In 1862
he came to America stopping five years in Lowell, Wis., where
he bought a small farm. Afterward bought a farm near Colum-
bus, Wis., and lived six years. In 1873 he became a citizen of
Floyd County. Bought a farm of eighty acres where he still re"
sides on section 17, Ulster Township. In 1877 he bought eiirhty
acres on section 8, same township. In 1880 he built himself a
nice residence, etc. Put out the first year twenty-five acres of
wheat, sixty-s»x acres of corn, twenty-thre3 acres of oats, and
twenty of hay; has five horses, twenty-four head of cattle, and fifty-
four hogs. In Germany, in 1858, he married Augusta Koehler.
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1066 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
They have fonr children living — Aagnsta, Lizzie, Amelia and
Mary; lost two sons, ages seven and foar, in 1877 — Freddie and
Henry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schunemann are members of the
Methodist church.
H, E, Stout was born in Centre Coanty,Penn., in 1836. He is
a son of John and Sarah (Kryder) Stout, natives of Pennsylvania. In
1848 Mr. Stout, in company with his parents, moved to Stephen-
son County, III., near Freeport, where he purchased a farm and re«
sided until his death, which occurred February, 1881. Mr8.Stout still
makes the old homestead her home. After ^oing to Illinois H. E.
Stout attended school at Bock River Seminary five terms. After-
ward engaged in teaching town and district schools. Mr. Stoat
has been a teacher more or less for the last thirty years, and now
returns to Illinois each winter and teaches school. While in Free-
port he engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store; here he remained two
years. This avocation he abandoned on account of his health and
came to Iowa and located upon a farm in Ulster Township, section
6, which he had bought in 1857, paying $3.76. He has eighty acres
with sixty under cultivation, fifteen of it being wheat, thirty com,
and oats fifteen; cuts about nine acres of hay. In the State of Illi-
nois, in the year 1871, he and Miss Louisa M. Lawrence were united
in marriage. She was born in Germany, 1861. They have two
children — Lilian May and Kittie Genevieve, ages ten and two
respectively, both born in Illinois. Politically he is a sound Doug-
las Democrat.
A, H. Strong was born in Delaware County, N.Y., in 1829. At
about the age of twenty-four he went to Ogle County, 111., where
he remained four years, engaged in a general jobbing business, such
as groceries, butchering, etc. At the expiration of this time he
went to Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa; here he remained about
ten years, engaged in farming principally. At this date he moved
to Ulster Township and purchased eighty acres of Floyd County's
good land in Ulster Township, section 36, where he still resides,
engaged in stock-raising and farming. In 1861 he and Miss Han-
nah A. Judson were united in marriage. Their family consists of
five children — Charter Adelbert, Fred E., Cora M., Charles D wight
and Otho.
Charles Vietmeier was born in Germany in 1841. In 1868 he
came to America, locating first in Illinois, where he worked as a
farm hand eleven months. At the expiration of this time he came
to Floyd County and purchased eighty acres of land in Ulster Town-
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1067
ship, where he still resides. Has since added to his pnrchase eighty
acres, and ten acres of timber. For the first he paid $7.00, for last
$12.50 per acre. He started from the lowest round in the ladder,
and has, by his own exertion, wrung from the hard hand of toil one
of the finest farms in Iowa, all under first-class cultivation and im-
provement. He is to build a fine house the coming year; has
always thought mixed farming the most profitable. An item
worthy of mention here is, that when he purchased his last eighty
be kept a perfect account of its cost, interest and expense of family
one year. He raised from it 2,000 bushels of wheat, and came
within $20 of paying for itself and paying all expenses. This year
he has in corn, seventy acres; rye, twenty ; wheat, eight ; oats, eight-
een; timothy, eight; balance, pasture land. Has eight cows, ten
young cattle, five horses and two colts, and seventy head of hogs.
In 1869 Mr. Vietmeier and Wilhelmena Komer were united in mar-
riage. The family consists of six children — Lydia, Anna, Louis,
Laura, William and Minnie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vietmeier are
membei% of the Methodist Episcopal church. When Mr. Viet-
meier came here, he, in company with some others, organized a
Sunday-school of five members, which has novkr grown to about
ninety, and the church, whose number was then only about four or
five members, has grown to about 130 or 140. Mr. Vietmeier has
frequently held the position of School Director and Supervisor.
J. Q. Wiggins was born in Maine, Oct. 6, 1814. Here he
received a common-school education when a young man; also
learned the carpenter's trade, which avocation, in connection with
farming, he pursued till he was about forty-three years of age.
He made his home with his parents, and managed the home farm
for them, and cared for their welfare during their life-time. His
mother died about the year 1841, and his father in the year 1862.
His parents' names were As^and Abigail. In 1857 Mr. Wiggins
came to Iowa, locating in Winneshiek County, where he bought 181
acres, and farmed seventeen years. In 1874 he became a citizen
of Floyd County. He purchased, the same year, 180 acres in
Ulster Township, where he still resides. This was prairie land,
and cost $2,800. He has since brought it all under cultivation
except thirty acres, which he keeps for grass land. In 1878 he
built the finest residence in the township; there are few, if any,
better in the county. His premises are beautified with symmetri-
cally planted shade and forest trees, and he has indeed a pleasant
Western home. Mr. Wiggins's age forbids his wroking very much
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1058 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTV.
himself, but the farm'a interests are well looked afcer by his sod, ^,
C. Wiggins. In Maine, in the year 1843, April 12, Mr. J. 6.
Wiggins and Miss Ann H. Morrill were united in marriage. She
was also a native of Maine, being born Dec. 24, 1820. Their
family consists of three children — Henry 0., now thirty-eight years
of age, married Miss Sarah Jane Demry, and resii in Ulster
Township; Fredric M., twenty-seven years of a|je, married Jennie
Prall, and resides also in Ulster Township; R. C, twenty-five
years of age, married Carrie Wyman. Mrs. J. G. Wiggins died
July 25, 1880. She was a member of the M. E. church for twenty
years prior to her death. Mr. Wiggins and his three sons are all
Republicans.
John Witzd was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1841 ; came to
America in 1865, with his father, Christopher Witzel, who located
in Wisconsin, where he remained till his death, which occurred
only two or three years after his arrival. Here the family remained
several years, and Mrs. Witzel made it her home till 1879, when
she came to Floyd County, Iowa, and made her home with her son
John till her death in 1879. Mr. John Witzel became a citizen of
the county in 1869, ani worked land on the shares the first six years.
In 1875 he purchased eighty acres of prairie land on section 28,
Ulster Township, where he still resides. This he broke up and has
now under a fine state of cultivation. In 1877 he bought twenty-
four acres of timber land in Floyd Township. Mr. Witzel was
married in Wisconsin in 1869, to Miss Minnie Anding, a native of
Germany. They have six children — Lena, Clar^, Minnie, Ella,
Eddy, and an infant son not yet named. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Witzel are members of the M. E. church. Politically he is a Re-
publican; cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Carl Woelfer was born in Germany, Kingdom of Prussia, Prov-
ince of Saxony, in the year 1841. ^e came to America in 1870,
stopping first in Anrora, III., and worked in a railroad shop about
nine months; he afterward worked as a farm hand about three
years. In 1874 he came to Floyd County and worked in Nora
Springs about a year as a farm hand. At the expiration of this
time he moved upon his farm, where he now resides, on section 18,
Ulster Township. In 1873 he built an addition to the house al-
ready on the place. The farm consists of something over eighty
acres, and is one of Floyd County's good farms. In 1878 he pur-
chased eighty acres of land on section 17, Ulster Township, which
is also under good cultivation; has in a crop of thirty acres of
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ULSTER TOWNSHIP. 1069
wheat, twenty-four of oats, sixty-two of com, twelve of hay, and
twenty -six acres in pasture; has seven head of horses, twenty-one
head of cattle, and seventy-five head of hogs. Indeed we can say
he is one of the stropg and successful farmers of the county. April
3, 1876, in Floyd County, he and Miss Minna Sann were united
in marriage. They have a family of seven children — William,
Carl, Fredic, Albert, Oscar, Huldah, and Minna. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Woelfer are members of the Methodist church. He is a
Republican, and has for the last three years been a School
Director.
Mrs. Eliza R. Young was born in Scotland in 1827, and mar-
ried Mr. Charles Young in Scotland in 1850; came to the United
States the same year, locating first in Wisconsin, where they re-
niained till 1875. In the year 1861 Mr. Young died, leaving a
family of four children — Frank, who is in the lumber regions in
Minnesota; Archibald R.,in Fargo, D. T., working in a grist-mill;
Charles B., working at Orlando McEwen's; William, who makes
his home with his mother. In 1874 Mrs. Young bought forty
acres of land in Ulster Township, section 33. They have put in
crop this year thirteen acres of corn; have raised seventeen acres
of oats.
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UNION TOWNSHIP.
Union Township lies east of Scott, south of Ulster, west of
Pleasant Grove and on the north line of Butler County. It is six
miles from the east to the west line, and seven miles from the
north line to the south line of the county,— containing nearly
forty-two sections of land. Its settlements are among the oldest
in Floyd County, and its natural advantages are equal to those of
any other township among her eleven enterprising sisters.
DRAINAGE.
The Shell Rock River, called by the Indians " Dashonaugh,*' or
'•Neshonagatan," signifying '* Otter River," enters the township
about a mile and a half south of its northwestern corner, and runs
in a southeasterly direction, leaving the township about two miles
west of its southeastern corner. Along this stream in Union
Township are several water-powers, one of which is substantially
improved by the construction of a flood-defying dam and a spacious
flouring mill.
Flood Creek, which, when once aroused, is large enough to
float '*a man of iron," enters the township about two miles from
its northeast corner, and zigzags it way out about four miles be-
low, on its eastern line.
STONE.
There are in Union Township several quarries of stone of
superior excellence, which quarries when well worked will be a
great beneflt to their fortunate owners. Among the most valuable
of these quarries is one owned by Warren Boon, and which is
already fam )us for its choice qualities and its splendid layers of
granite.
It was opened by Mr. T. W. Boon, in 1874. It is situated on
the east bank of the Shell Rock River, about three quarters of a
mile northwest of Marble Rock. The jutting rock along the bank
gave evidence of good rock. The land was owned by a man who
held it at a high price, and would not open it himself. But about
four years after the railroad came through Marble Kock, Mr. Boon
(1060)
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1061
was able to purchase twenty-two acres, and has since purchased
eighteen acres, making a tract of land of fortj acres, all of which
is underlajed with splendid rock. From an aoalj'sis made bj the
United States Geolo*?ist, he pronounces it a species of granite, with a
small per cent, of lime and sand. This embraces the upper strata,
which is about thirty -two feet deep. Below this is a strata of
fine sandstone, probably twelve feet deep above water. The
upper strata admits of rock being taken out 16x26 feet, while
the sandstone is without seams and can be taken out at any
desired size» running from ten to thirty-two inches in thickness,
the upper strata being the same depth in thickness. This quarry
is worked the whole year, taking out as high as 1,000 yards
a year; employs from fifteen to twenty hands and from six to
seven teams. Shipping as far as Cedar Falls, Black Hawk
Gonnty, and ships cutting rock as far as 160 miles away. This
business amounts to from $3,000 to $5,000. The beauty of this
quarry is its easy access, besides its very fine quality of material.
His orders are principally for bridges and tine buildings. Is
now fiilling an order for cut stone to be used in the court-house
at Clarksville.
Stone is also found in large quantities and gooJ qualities at
convenient distances along the bank of the Shell Rock River.
TIMBER.
Union has about four sections covered with timber, the main
body of which lies on the Shell Rock River, beginning at Marble
Rock and extending up the stream on either side, a distance of
about three miles. This is known as Beelar's Grove, an appellation
it has borne since the first settler, Jacob Beelar, located his claim
amid its inviting forests. It contains all the varieties of timber
found in the county, and was once a magnificent forest, but is now
being rapidly cleared away. In the northeast comer of the town-
ship, and along the banks of Flood Creek, is another grove of
timber covering about one section of land. The remainder of the
township is prairie land of the choicest quality.
BAILBOADS.
Union Township has one railroad. The Burlington, Oedar
Rapids &No**thern Railway crosses her boundary line one mile
west from the southeast corner, and runs on a straight line for
eight miles, leaving the township a half a mile east of the north-
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1062 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
west corner. This railroad was built through here in 1871, and
cost Union a tax of five per cent on all assessable property. The
amount thus levied was $9,380; private donations amounted to
$20,000; and the depot grounds, which were donated, were valued
at $600; making the total contribution $29,980. See chapter on
Railroads.
BBIDOB8.
In January, 1869, the first bridge that ever spanned the Shell
Rock in Union Township was completed at Marble Rock. The
builder was A. Spaulding, of Oedar Falls. The length was 210
feet in a single span. It was a Howe truss bridge, of wood,
and the contract price was $5,400. In February, 1875, this
bridge was condemned by the Board of Supervisors, and in the
summer of 1876 they erected at the same site an iron bridge. The
work was done by the Oanton Bridge Company, of Canton, Ohio.
'Hie bridge is composed of two spans, each of which is 122^ feet
in length, and which rest on a stone pier, substantially planted in
the center of the river bed.
BABLY SETTLBMBNT.
The historical era of Marble Rock and Union Township begins
in 1850. The rolling prairie, the undulating hills, and the clear
stream of flowing water, touched the sympathy and awakened the
hopes of the pioneer hunters and trappers, who kept a little in
advance of the westward moving civilization. Jacob Beelar, a
native of East Tennessee, was one of those conquered by the
strength of nature's wiles, and in the spring of the year mentionftd
his bright ax caused echoes through the woods; and his log cabins
the first house in the vicinity, was soon raised. The name then
given to the place was '' Beelar's Grove."
In March, 1851, Mr. Beelar's family arrived, nine in number,
including parents. Charles is still with us; the others are scattered
over the earth.
The same spring Mr. Beelar did the first breaking of ground in
the township.
The nearest neighbors at this time were resident at what was
termed " Coon's Grove," at the mouth of Flood Creek, and at a dis-
tance of twelve miles in a southeasterly direction. At Clear Lake
the Beelar family had staunch friends, in the persons of Messrs.
Dickerson and Hewitt, who were distant about a two days* journey.
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1063
In 1S52 Jacob Beelar entered the land npon which the present town
is sitnated, and other pioneers began to appreciate the beanty of
the location. In 1852 Mr. Inman erected a log house, which still
stands, about eighty rods northeast of the town center. This
gentleman sold oat to Mr. Baltimore, who, in turn, disposed of the
property to Leyi Halstead, whose widow is the present occupant.
In 1853 Samuel Beelar laid claim to land and <^ broke" twenty
acres of it. The Baltimore above spoken of jumped the claim,
causing the first disturbance in the settlement. Baltimore eventu-
ally paid $50 indemnity and the matter became a memory of the
past.
The hardships of these pioneers can be better appreciated when
it is stated that the nearest grist-mill was located at Oedar Falls, a
distance of forty miles. To visit it required a three days' journey
over fearfully mgged roads. The postoffice visit was quite an
important and difficult one to make, it being thirty miles remote,
at Waverly.
The usual stopping-place for the teamsters on these journeys was
at Coon's Grove, and there the settlers would meet and in friendly
chat exchange the latest bit of news, and speak of the affairs of the
world, which then had passed the nine days' wonder. The settle-^
ment, in 1855, received three acquisitions to its strength in the
persons of Balph Horr, John Gates and William Ackley. In the
same year one Corey erected a double log shanty and established
the first store, with a stock of goods sufficient to meet the frugal
wants of the settlers.
A school was opened in this building during the following
winter. The teacher was a Mr. Worsfield. About a dozen pupils
attended his school, some of them being bearded men. This tirst
school continued two weeks, and then closed its first term. In
1856, and before more settlers came, another school was instituted,
with Sara Sours as teacher. He is said to have been a popular
man and an able instructor.
The first School Treasurer was Ambrose Smith, who held the
office for several years; then Rudolph Kex, until 1865, and then
John Gates, to the present time.
In 1856 came a number of new settlers, among them the Wal-
lace, Rex, Asper, Clay, Judd and Schermerhorn families, and the
village began to prosper. Tlie outlook became still more encourag-
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1064 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ing, when later such men as H. Rosenkrans came and contribnted
their energy, culture and means to the development of the settle-
ment. .
The first court was held before Esquire Shattuck. The prisoner,
who had shown his patriotism by fighting on the 4th of July, was
complained of, as a pre-concerted movement, by Judge Johnson,
and let off with a small fine. The following day he was re-arrested
and taken before Esquire Frost, in Aureola, where Judge Johnson
non-suited the prosecution by his first complaint and trial.
The early settlers were very social, frequently passing the even-
ings in dancing, singing, or in games. Every man^s home was
hospitably open to whoever came. In 1858 a great revival was
held by Rev. Mr. Holbrook, a pioneer Methodist preacher, and
almost the entire settlement was converted to the Methodist faith.
Some good stories are told of Rev. James Hankins, an itiner-
ant preacher, who occasionally visited this settlement before the war.
Hankins was very muscular, and a militant Christian, and when
playing cards and snickering and other disturbances in meeting
became oppressive, he subdued the rebels physically. He used to
enter town giving forth hymns in a musical voice, and this vocal
power answered the purpose of a bell. All flocked to hear the
singing, the result being a large congregation. It so happened
that, during the prayer of Judge Rosencrantz (no relative to the
present Rosenkrans family), considerable noise emanated from the
euchre corner, with such expressions as '* Pray on, Judg?^, Pll go
down among the sinners." Mr. Hmkins promptly begin to take
steps toward quelling the disturbance. Tiiis action caused talk,
and considerable braggadocio was manifested. It was threatened
that the ''preacher was going to get licked." Hearing of the in-
tention of the "great unwashed," Hankins took him by the fore-
lock and caused a few of the braggarts ever after to have a high
respect for the preacher's muscle. Tlie meetings had been con-
stantly interrupted, more especially after the arrest of a boy whose
case came to trial, with Gen. Trumbull, then an attorney at Olarks-
ville, for the defense. He made an eloquent plea, the bL>y was
acquitted, and the roughs became still more obstreperous, causing
Hankins to adopt the use of his muscle as the last means of re-
storing the peace.
The citizens of Union Township were zealously loyal during the
war. A Union League was organized, and was very active. The
services of that organization were needed. Disguised rebels and
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1066
«jmpatizers came in every shape. As preachers they soon showed
their colors in prayer, and the religious found themselves listen-
ing to messages to heaven, beseeching that ^' even the Union Gov-
ernment should not be heeded by the people " in protecting their
Jiearts and homes. The reverend wolves were visited by members
of the league and made to retract their supplications or vacate the*
ranch. They retracted, and were then compelled to take the oath
of aUegiance. Union Township answered every call for volun-
teers, and supplied even more than her quota of men.
OBOANIC.
On the 4th of September, 1854, Judge John M. Hunt divided the
county into four townships, among which was that of Union, which
then comprised congressional townships 94 and 95, range 17, and
townships 94 and 95, range 18. July 21, 1855, the west half of
township 94 north, range 16, and sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 in
township 95, in range 16, were detached from the territory
embraced in St. Charles Township and attached to Union by John
Ball, then County Judge. March 25, 1856, sections 29, 30, 31 and
82, in township 95. range 16, were detached from Union Township
and once more became a part of the township of St. Charles. A.
L. Collins was then County Judge. March 2, 1857, congressional
townships 95, ranges 17 and 18, were detached from Union and
called Rockford, by Judge A. L. Collins. June 12, 1858, section
26 was set off from Rockford to Union for ** election purposes,** by
Judge David Ripley. The Board of Supervisors at their June ses-
sion, 1861, detached township 94 from Union and the south tier of
sections from Rockford, and gave to the detached territory the
name of Scott. At the June session, 1867, of the Board of Super-
visors, the west half of township 94, range 16, was detached from
Union and was united with the east half of the same township,
receiving the name of Pleasant Grove Township.
The following is the first record in the township minute books :
"Pursuant to public notice, the electors of Union Township
met March 28, 1855, at the house of Jacob Beelar for the purpose
of choosing delegates to meet at the house of John Ball, on Thurs-
day, March 29, 1855. On motion, Nelson Shattnck was called to
the chair, and T. W. Allen was chosen clerk. On motion of
Thomas Conner, a committee, consisting of Thomas Conner, Jacob
Beelar and Peter Beaver, was appointed to present suitable names
66
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10ft6 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
to the meeting. This committee recommended Peter Weaver, Tl
W. Allen, Thomas Conner and Nelson Shattuck.-' These were
elected and served as delegates to the meeting above mentioned. '
The present township officers are : Trustees, Charles T. Ackley,
George Lines, Samuel Sours; Clerk, Charles E. Wood; Assessor,
' Harvey C. Inman; Road Supervisor, District No. 1, Matthias Nixt^
No. 2, Peter N. Vorhes; No. 3, Hezekiah Garber; No. 4, Alouzo
Inman; No. 6, John Barth; No. 6, Abraham Palmateer; No. 7,
Charles W. Bowman; Justices of the Peace, John Gates, C. P.
Beelar; Constables, Samuel Rex, Philip Schultz.
Union Township has been liberally represented in the list ot
county officials of Floyd. Thomas Connor was elected Prosecuting
Attorney in 1864, but failed to qualify. J. P. Johnson was chosen
County Coroner in the same year. Rudolph Rex was elected
County Supervisor in 1862. Benjamin Darland was elected County
Supervisor in 1863. Henry Wady was elected County Supervisor
in 1865. J. B. Shepardson was elected County Supervisor in 1868.
William H. Johnson was chosen County Judge in 1860. L. S.
Horr was elected Sheriff in 1866-'7. Isaac Teeple was chosen
County Surveyor in 1868. The same office was held by H. C.
Inman in 1863 and 1865. John Wallace was County Coroner in
1863 and 1865. Benjamin Darland was a Representative in the
General Assembly of Iowa during 1874 and 1875. Immediately
following him in the same office was J. B. Shepardson, in 1876 and
1877. George H. Nichols was elected County Superintendent of
Schools in 1877, and held the office four years. He was succeeded
by the present incumbent, H. H. Davidson, who was elected Oct.
11, 1881.
SCHOOLS.
The Union Township District is one of the oldest in the county,
having had an organized and continuous existence for nearly
twenty-iive years. There has been no independent district organ-
ized from it, Marble (Rock being still a part of the township
district. The first records on the books are of a meeting held May
22, 1858. The proceedings are given in full, as an item of interest;:
"The board of school officers for Union Township District met
pursuant to notice May 22, 1858, at the usual place of holding
elections in Marble Rock, and organized according to law, and
proceeded to business.
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1067
" On motion the meeting adjourned one hour for dinner.
" The board met at two o'clock, pursuant to aSjoumment, and
again proceeded to business. [It is said by some that here the
board * on motion adjourned one hour for aupper^ but we cannot
▼ouch for this, the secretary baring made no record of the fact]
*' On motion, A. Bashford was appointed to fill vacancy occa-
sioned by the failure of District No. 2 to elect a resident of said
sub-district for the office of local director.
'' A resolution was passed to the effect that the board of school
directors of Union Township authorize the local director of Sub-
district No. 3 to use the school in said sub-district for a select school
under the supervision of the local director.
" On motion the secretary was authorized to procure the bounda-
ries of each sub-district preparatory to sketching a map or plat of
Union Township District.
'*0n motion adjourned. J. R. Mahin, Sec.^^
The office of President of the School Board has been filled as
follows: 1858-^59, Loren Inman; 1869-'60, J. R. Frost; 1860,
Loren Inman ; 1862, L. G. Hiscox; 1863, David Oomstock; 1864,
L. G. Hiscox; 1865-'66, William A. Judd; 1867, John Gates;
1868, Thomas Eiley; 1869, Wm. H. Johnson ; 1870, A. Gleason;
1871-'72, J. W. Darland ; 1873, H. Rosenkrans; 1874, Wm. J.
Little; 1875-'78, H. Rosenkrans ; 1879, W. Bucklin ; 1880, George
Maxson; 1881, Martin Gates; 1882, Job Randall.
The office of Secretary of the School Board has been filled as
follows: 1858-'59, H. 0. Inman; 1869-'60, W. Brubacher; 1860-
'61, William H. Johnson ; 1862-'63, A. J. Asper; 1864-'78, H. 0.
Inman; 1879, O.B.Martin; 18&0-'81, Charles Gktes, Jr. ; 1882,
Henry B. Hies.
There are ten sub-districts in Union Township, and their Directors
for the present year are as follows: 1, R. S. Vorhes; 2, M. Nixt;
3, H. Rosenkrans; 4, A. W. Hawks ; 6, C. Town; 6. Charles
Gates, Sr.; 7, John Gates; 8, Job Randall; 9, F. C. Sellman. All
the districts have at least one school each. No. 4 has two schools;
and No.' 3, which comprises Marble Rock, has three departments,
or schools, in the same buildinp^.
The first school-house erected in Union Township was built
in 1857, on lot 3, block 8, section 9. This was in Marble
Rock, now known as District No. 3. The school-house built in
District No. 1 was erected in 1872, on section 4, at a cost of $500.
That in No. 2 was built in 1868, at the corner of sections 1, 2, 11
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1088 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and 12, at a cost of $400. The first school-honse in No. 4 was
erected in 1860, of stone, on section 8, at a cost of $1,600. An-
other one has since been bnilt in the same district, at a cost of
$500. The school-honse in No. 5 was bnilt in 1872, at a cost of
$500, on section 20. That in District No. 6 was built of wood on
section 33, in 1872, at a cost of $500. That in No. 7 was built in
1871, on section 22, at a cost of $500. That in No. 8 was built in
August, 1879, at a cost of $500, on section 31. That in No. 9 was
built in 1872, at a cost of $500, on the corner of sections 25, 26,
35 and 36.
In 1873 the yilla/2;e of Marble Bock (District No. 3) erected an
elegant school-house near the southeast corner of the villas^ plat.
The dimensions of the building are 26x46, with wings 22x26,
two stories high. It has a cupola, bell, spacious apartments and
all the modern equipments of a well -furnished educational insti-
tution, where all branches, from the rudiments to the grade of a
high-school, are successfully taught. This building cost $4,000?
and will accommodate 200 students. The Principal of the school
for 1882-'3 is 0. F. Gates.
FIBST THINGS.
The first house erected in Union was constructed of logs, by
Jacob Beelar, in 1852, on the southwest corner of section 8.
The first ground used for agricultural purposes was broken by
Jacob Beelar, on the northwest quarter of section 16, in the sum-
mer of 1852, and by Ashbury Baltimore, in 1853,on the southwest
quarter of section 5.
The first store was one of small dimensions on block 1, of the
village of Marble Rock, opened by Alanson W. Oorey, in the win-
ter of 1855-'6. He afterward removed his store to section 6,
when the first store of general merchandise was started at Marble
Kock, in 1857, by John Wallace and William A Judd. The first
drug store was opened on Main street, in 1870, by Messrs. Clark
and Martin.
The first marriage was that of Jacob Beelar to Huldah Downer,
June 2, 1855.
The first deaths was those of J. J. Kiddell and S. O. Kiddell,
killed by lightning while in bed, June 19, 1855, two and three
quarters miles west of Marble Bock.
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UKIOK TOWNSHIP. 1069
The first null for flouring purposes was buiU in 1868-'9. The
first saw-mill was built by Robert Frost, in 1874:. The first steam
saw-mill was that run by Hershey, Brubacher. and Wells, of Wa-
verly, and was situated west of block 16, in Marble Rock. It was
built in 1856-'7.
The first church was built in 1873-'4.
The first school-house was built in 1857 on block 8, in Marble
Rock, by R. 0. Horr, Benjamin Darland and W. Brubacher as
Directors.
The first school was taught in this school- house in the winter of
1856.'6.
The first bounty on wolf scalps paid to a citizen of Union was
to R. J. Ackley, in March, 1869.
The first bounty on wild-cats was paid to A. Baltimore in the
month of March, 1859.
The first organization of the Republican party was effected at
Marble Rock, Feb. 17, 1860, with Benjamin Darland as President,
and Isaac Yeople as Secretary. The constitution and by-laws were
signed by Isaac Yeople, |H. C. Inman, John Wallace, W. Bru-
bacher, Samuel Fulsom, Benjamin Darland, R. C. Horr, J. J. R.
Frost, William Halstead, L. D. Gardner, John Gates, J. T. Gra-
ham, L. S. Horr, William Hawks, J. L. Bedell, M. J. Miller,
Charles Peet, Martin Gates, Nelson Shattuck, Cbarlea Gates,
Samuel Rex, John Clay, W. H. Christeance.
UNION TOWNSHIP IN THE WAR.
Union Township responded nobly to the calls of the Government
in the late Rebellion. Her quota was always full, and when the
draft was ordered, Feb. 4, 1864, she was seven men ahead. When
it became apparent that the rebels were in earnest and meant war
for the white man, and eternal bondage for the negro, the citizens
of Union rallied and assembled in mass meeting at Marble Rock,
April 29, 1861. Rev. John Kane was called to the chair, and
William H. Johnson was chosen Secretary. After appropriate
speeches, David Brubacher, B. Franklin Darland, Jesse Beelar,
Mark J. Miller, Abraham Brubacher, A. Wolsey Hawks and Will-
iam Bedell resolutely stepped forward and repeated and subscribed
to the following oath:
"We do solemnly swear that we will bear true and faithful
allegiance to the United States of America; that w^ will serve
them faithfully and honestly against all opposers whomsoever; that
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1070 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
we will obey and observe the orders of the President of the United
States, the Governor of Iowa, and all officers duly elected or ap-
pointed to command us."
These volunteers were attached to the Third Iowa Infantry.
The second band who enlisted from Union consisted of Samuel
Fulsom, Egbert Hawks, Everett Hawks, Samuel Sours, A. J.
Asper, S. J. Ackley, 0. T. Ackley, George Cornelia and J. I. R.
Frost, who went into the Seventh Iowa Infantry. Job Clark and
EUram Clay went into the Seventh Iowa Infantry. Warren Boon,
S. W. Boon, Jaraes W. Boon, Milton Boon, Timothy W. Folger,
A. D. Weeks, Joseph Smith, Henry Smith, Horace Hawks, Tyler
Blake, Elias Miller and Michael Cline went into the Thirty-second
Iowa Infantry. William F. Bedell, Daniel R. Hiscox and Abram
Judd went into the Twelfth United States Regulars. Jos. L. Inman
and C. E. Wood went into the Thirteenth United States Regulars.
J. L. Baker, Abram Johnson and J. R. McNabb went into the
Fourth Iowa Cavalry. J. W. Darland went into an Illinois artil-
lery company, and S. S. Boon into an Illinois cavalry regiment.
A. A. Hawks was wounded; Hiram Bedell was killed; M. J.
Miller was imprisoned at Andersonville; B. F. Darland was killed;
Everett Hawks was killed; George Cornelia died; James Boon
died; Milton Boon died; T. W. Folger was killed; A. D. Weeks
died; Joseph Smith died; Elias Miller died, and Joseph L. Inman
died.
AUREOLA.
The village of Aureola was laid out and recorded by Robert
Frost in 1858, who built a saw-mill here. It contains about 100
acres in the south half of section 8, on the west bank of the Shell
Rock River, about a mile above Marble Rock. Owing to a bend
in the river the streets run northeasterly and southwesterly.
Aureola is distant about a half mile from Marble Rock. A store
was opened by A. J. Asper in 1865, and kept by him for about two
years. J. W. Darland also opened a store there in 1867, and con-
tinued in business about two years. Both these gentlemen are now
in business at Marble Rock. There have been no other stores in
Aureola since 1869, in which year the plat was vacated. Aureola
had in 1880 a population of eighty-eight.
AUBEOLA MILL.
This mill was built by Tyler Blake in 1860. It is on the west
side of the Shell Rock, on section 8. It was built for two run of
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1071
attoe, but now has three, the last having been added by Mn
l^hepardson. Mr. Blake sold out, after operating the mill for four
years, to H. C. Inman and Robert Frost. Mr. Blake went from
here to Nora Springs, and in 1880 he went to Harper, Harper
County, Kan., where he now resides, engaged in the drug business.
Mr. Frost died, and Mr. Inman sold his interest to the executors of
Mr. Frost's estate* They sold to J.rB. Shepardson and J. M. Dar-
land, the present proprietors. The mill is valued at $4,000.
MARBLB BOOK.
The village plat of Marble Rock was laid out in October, 1856,
and recorded the same year. Jacob Beelar was the proprietor. It
is situated in the southwest corner of section 9, northwest corner
of section 16, and northeast corner of section 17, in congressional
township 94 north, range 17 west of the fifth principal meridian,
and contains about twenty acres. The village is in the south ex-
tremity of Beelar's Grove, on the east bank of the Shell Rook,
toward which the surface of the ground gradually declines. It
has a variety of stores and mechanical shops, a bank, printing
office, and all the professions usually found in an enterprising vil-
lage. The streets of the town are broad and dry. The Burlington,
Oedar Rapids & Northern Railroad runs at a convenient dis-
tance along the eastern border of the town, with commodious depot
and warehouses at accessible points. The entire village rests on
beds of rock excellent for building purposes, but lying too deep
to be disturbed with profit until the numerous quarries which pro-
ject from the river bank are . more nearly exhausted. Protected
from the winds and storms on the north, on the east by her beau-
tiful groves; supplied with an abundance of pure water from nu-
merous springs of marvelous volume; and with water-powers from
one of the most magnificent rivers that ever coursed its way
through Northern Iowa; surrounded with a superior farming
country on every side; and alive with an industrious and intelli-
gent people. Marble Rock is destined to be all that Jacob Beelar
ever dreamed for the future of the town. The inhabitants of Union
Township, like those of the entire county, are of a mixed class, the
people having drifted here either from the New England States or
from those intervening, and on or near the same parallels of latitude.
Inhere is, however, a strong German element in Union Township,
among whom are found some of the most substantial farmers
and most substantial citizens of the township. In a few years
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1673 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
more, the German and English elements will coalesce, and the
questions then will be, not "Where did you come from?'* but,
*< Where are you going?" — not ^* What are you?" but, "Who are
you? "
INOOBPOBATION.
Marble Rock was incorporated in the early part of 1881, and
town officers elected. The following were the proceedings of the
council at their first meeting:
" Marble Rook, March 14, 1881.
" Council met for the purpose of completing the organization ot
the incorporated town of Marble Rock, and proceeded to adminis-
ter the oath of office to the elected officers.
"C. F. Beelar, a Justice of the Peace, administered the oath to
J. W. Martin, as Mayor.
"J. W. Martin, Mayor, administered the oath of office to E. A.
Rosenkrans, as Recorder.
"J. W. Martin, Mayor, administered the oath of office to the fol-
lowing Trustees: William Moore, Allen Moore, I. M. Hutches,
John Robson, C. F. Beelar, and W. H. Ostrander.
"J. W. Martin, Mayor, administered the oath of office to C. E.
Wood, as Assessor.
"The official bonds of J.W.Martin, E. A. Rosenkrans and 0. E.
Wood were presented and placed on file.
"The Trustees then proceeded to determine by lot their terms of
office, which drawing resulted as follows: Allen Moore and Will-
iam Moore, one year; John Robson and I. M. Hutches, two years;
0. F. Beelar and W. H. Ostrander, three years.
" On motion, adjourned to meet at call of Mayor.
'^ E. A. RosENKBANS, Recovder.'*^
The officers elected and appointed for Marble Rock during its
two years of incorporated life are as follows:
1881. — Mayor, J. W. Martin; Trustees, Allen Moore, William
Moore, John Robson, 1. M. Hutches, C. F. Beelar, W. H. Ostran-
der; Street Commissioner, Levi Long; Marshals, T. W. Boon, John
Melugin; Recorder, E. A. Rosenkrans; Treasurer, R. F. Wilke;
Assessor, 0. E. Wood.
1882. — Mayor, J. B. Shepardson; Trustees, John Robson, I. M.
Hutches, 0. F. Beelar, W. H. Ostrander, R. J. Ackley, Hiram
Rosenkrans; Street Commissioner, E. A. Rosenkrans; Marshal,
Samuel Rex; Recorder, L. B. Clarjc; Treasurer, Allen Moore;
Assessor, C. E. Wood.
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1078
P08T0FFI0B.
The postoffice of Marble Eock was established about 1855. Pre-
vious to that time the nearest postofBce was Waverly, distant
thirty miles southeast. Whoever went for his mail would get the
mail for the whole settlement. The first Postmaster appointed
under the administration of President Franklin Pierce was J. I.
K. Frost. He was succeeded by William H. Johnson, and he by R.
0. Horr. The next was J. B. Shepardson, who held the position
but a short time, and was then succeeded by Allen Moore, who
served a long time. The present Postmaster is 0. E. Wood, ap-
pointed in the latter part of 1877, who took possession Jan. 1, 1878.
He was also actual Postmaster from July 20, 1874, Allen Moore
being the nominal head.
BANK.
The Marble Eock Bank of J. B. Shepardson was established on
its present location in the spring of 1873, by J. B. & S. E. Shep-
ardson, and has not changed ownership since. Its business has
steadily enlarged since that date, and it is now in a healthy con-
dition. With ample capital at command, it forms a safe and reli-
able medium for the transaction of business for the surrounding
country. The deposits amount to from $10,000 to $20,000.
MARBLE ROOK ELEVATOR.
This elevator was first started in 1872, by Moore & Hoover, and
three additions have been built since. It is situated on Bradford
street, by the railroad. Messrs. Moore & Hoover operated it two
years, selling in 1874 to I. M. Hutches & Co. They remained in
the business until the spring of 1879, when they sold to Shepardson
Bros. (J. B. Shepardson and S. E. Shepardson), the present pro-
prietors. They deal in all kinds of grain and are doing a good
business. The nearest elevators are at Rockford, eight miles,
and Greene, seven miles, and the three are in sharp competition.
Shepardson Bros, have introduced the latest and best machinery,
including the patent dump for unloading corn wagons.
MARBLE ROOK CREAMERY.
This was established in the month of May, 1882, by Messrs.
Moody & Dilts. It is situated on the east side of the river, by the
bridge. The firm is doing an excellent business, making during
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10Y4 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
the month of June, 8,100 pounds of butter, and during July, 9,600,
which is shipped to New York. Water-power is used, furnished
by a turbine wheel, eleven and a half inches in diameter. The water
flows from a spring in the bank of the Shell Book, and,with the tur-
bine wheel, aflbrds the nicest water-power possible for the work
required of it.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
A. J. Asper & Co., druggists; S. P. Bissell, blacksmith; T. W.
Boon, contractor; B. Boyd, shoemaker; Clark & Brown, physicians;
Clark & Kindall, druggists; R. W. Clark, saloon-keeper; U. A.
CoUison & Co., wagon-makers; W. B. Crabtree, carpenter and
builder; W. O. Crumb, confectioner; J. W. Darland, general mer
chant; J. C. Eade, general merchant; M. Gates & Son, hardware
dealers; C. G. Greenwood, general merchant; Haines Bros., general
merchants; £. B. Haines, physician; C. E. Heightshoe, milliner;
G. M. Hubbard, barber; I. M. Hutches & Co., grain dealers; W.
D. Lamb, proprietor Beelar House; Merrill & Lyon, liverymen;
Moody & Dilts, crearaerymen; Allen Moore, general merchant;
Moore & Paddleford, lumber; H. B. Nies, editor Weekly \ J.
O'Hair, saloon-keeper; Rosenkrans & Rex, meat-sellers; E. A.
Rosenkrans& Co., general merchant; Mrs. E. A. Rosenkrans, mil-
liner; Hiram Rosenkrans, hardware; H. Scott & Co., grocers; J.
B. Shepardson, banker; H. Stroud, pump dealer; M. S. Van Dusen,
wagon-maker; G. L.Washburn, insurance agent; R.. F. Wilke, boot
and shoe dealer; J. Wiioth, harness-maker; C. E. Wood, Post-
master.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist JEpiseopcd , Church was here, as is usually the
case elsewhere, the pioneer religious organization of the country.
The first services held by itinerant preachers have been mentioned
on a previous page. Occasional services were held for nearly twenty
years before an attempt was made to form a permanent organiza-
tion, and to have regular services. There was a society in exist"
ence as early as 1858, which has had a more or less prosperous
existence ever since. The Methodist church was built in 18T3, at
a cost of over $2,000. The pastor at that time was Rev. Philip
Gould. He was followed by Rev. Z. R. Ward, who came from
Mason City, and remained one year. Then came Rev. Mr. Gill-
ruth, for one year; Rev. Enoch Holland, three years; Rev. G. B
Shoemaker, two years; and Rev. D. E. Skinner, one year. The
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1076
present pastor is Rev. J. A. Brown, who resides at Greene, Butler
Oonnty. The pastors have fijenerallyjresided in that place. Services
are held at Marble Eock on alternate Sabbaths. The membership
of the church is small, being but twenty at the present time. The
Sunday-school is a union school, formed of the pupils of the Meth-
odist and Free- Will Baptist denominations. The Superintendent
is H. C. Inman, and J. Hichtshoe is his assiskvnt. The school is
in fair condition, and has an attendance of from sixty to eighty.
These are in seven classes.
The Free 'Will Baptist Church was organized about 1858.
Among the more prominent of the first members were Robert
Frost, Loren Inman, Martin Ackley, James Ackley, Charles E.
Wood, H. C. Inman, Caroline Inman, Mrs. James Ackley, 0. T.
Ackley, Mrs. Robert Frost, and William A. Judd and wife. The
first pastor was Rev. Loren Inman, a resident of Union Township.
He preached about seven years, and then ceased his pulpit work,
living on his farm until his death, in 1878. The next pastor was
Rev. R. Norton, who resided at Mason viile, and preached here once
in two weeks for two years. He is now preaching at Tripoli. He
was followed by Rev. A. Palmer, who also preached about two
years, on alternate Sabbaths. He did not reside here. He was
accidentally killed at Hortou, Bremer County, by falling from a
staging, in 1880. The pulpit was next supplied by Rev. J. H.
Moxom, of Cedar Falls, for nearly two years. The present pastor.
Rev. C. Pierce, came in April, 1880. The congregation are now
erecting a church which, exclusive of furnishings, will cost $1,600.
It is to be finished by Nov. 20, 1882, will be 30 x 60, and will seat
about 260. The Sunday-school meets in connection with that of
the Methodists. The membership of the church is now about
twenty.
LODGES.
Comer Stone Zodge, J^o. 251^ A. JP. cfe A. M.^ was organized
tinder dispensation Dec. 19, 1868, with eleven charter members
as follows: W. D. Truax, L. S. Horr, J. I. R. Frost, Ambrose
Smith, L. Tatum, William A. Judd, Merritt Towslee, Thomas
Garber, Henry Eade, William H. Johnson and J. B. Shepardson.
The first oflScers were as follows: W. D. Truax, W. M.; L. S.
Horr, S. W. ; J. I. R. Frost, J. W.; William H. Johnson, Secre-
tary; Ambrose Smith, Treasurer; J. B. Shepardson, S. D. ; Merritt
Towslee, J. D. ; William A. Judd, Tyler. The office of W. M. has
been held as follows; 1869-*70, W. D. Truax; 1870-% J. I. R.
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1076 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Frost; 1871-^2, L. S. Horr; 1872-^3, L. S. Horn; 1873-'4,L. S. Horr;
1874-^5, L. S. Horr; 1875-'6, L. S. Horr; 1876-7, J. W. Darland;
1877-'8, J. W. Darland; 1878-'$*, J. W. Darland; 1S79^'80, E. A.
Rosenkrans; 1880-1, J. W. Darland; 1881-'2, J. W. Darland;
1882-^3, J. W. Darland. The charter is dated June 2, 1869, and
is signed by Keuben Mickei, Grand Master; W. S. Smith, S. G«
Warden, and T. S Parvin, G. Secretary,
The present membership is forty-five, and the present officers
are as follows: J. W. Darland, W. M.; Robert Huggitt, S. W.;
H. C. Inman, J. W.; H. 0. Darland, Secretary; William A. Jndd,
Treasurer; E. A. Rosenkrans, S. D.; H. H. Davidson, J. D.; D. J.
Winchell, S. S.; Samuel Rex, J. S.; H. Olay, Tyler.
The lodge meets on the Wednesday on or before the full moon
of each month. It is in a very healthy condition.
Eldorado Encampment^ No. 100, /. O. 0, F.^ was organized
April 11, 1878, with fourteen charter members, as follows: Dr.
William A. Clayton, George Luce, R. F. Wilke, Will Wade, F.
Harlinske, Dr. 0. J. Clark, G. L. Brown, W. E. Hodgin, A. N.
Arnold, H. Kelly, H. Rosenkrans and A. B. Schermerhorn. The
first officers elected were as follows: William A, Clayton, 0. P.^
W. E. Hodgin, S. W. ; A. K Arnold, J. W.; C. J. Clark, H. P.;
Will Wade, Scribe; H. Rosenkrans, Treasurer; Samuel Rex, F.
Harlinske and C. M. Dastin, Trustees; C. M. Dustin, O. S. S.;
William Spotts, I. S. 8.; H. Kelly, G.; H. A. Eddy, Ist W.; J.
B. Schermerhorn, 2d W.; J. W. Darland, 3d W.; L. B. Clark,
4th W.
The office of Chief Patriarch has been held as follows: William
A. Clayton, April to July, 1878; H. Rosenkrans, July 1, 1878, to
January, 1879; C. J. Clark, January to July, 1880; W. E. Hodgin,
July, 1880, to January, 1881; William A. Clayton, January to
October, 1881; Harvey C. Inman, October, 1881, to January, 18825
J. Melugin, January to July, 1882.
The present officers are as follows: J. Melagin, C. P.; H,
Rosenkrans, S. W.; W. O. Crumb, J. W.; H. C. Inman, H. P.;
Allen Moore, Scribe; H. Rosenkrans, Treasurer. The present
membership is about twenty. The encampment meets the second
and fourth Thursdays of each month. It is in good condition
financially, but has not a very large membership.
Marble Rock Lodge^ No. 362, /. 0. 0. E.y was instituted by S.
G. Blythe, of Granite Rock Lodge, at Nora Springs, Feb. 2, 1877.
The following are the names of the five charter members: C. J.
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UNIOK TOWHSHIP. 1077
Clark, Hiram Bosenkrans, L. J. Keyes, J. W. Darland, and Allen
Moore. At the first meeting also J. B. Schermerhorn was elected
to membership, he holding a dismissal card from another lodge.
This first meeting was held in the daytime. In the evening of the
same day, twenty-one new members were initiated, thus giving the
lodge twenty-seven members to start with. At the same meeting
officers were elected as follows: J. W. Darland, N. G.; £. J.
Keyes, V. G.; W. M. Wade, R. Sec; J. P. Schermerhorn, P. Sec:
C. J. Clark, Treasury. The following officers were then appointed
by the Koble Grand: H. Rosenkrans, Warden; W. E. Hodgin,
Conductor; C. D. Kindall, R. S. to KG.; 0. M. Dastin, L. S. to
N. G.; Samuel Rex, O. G.; 0. F. Beelar, I. G.; R. F. Wilke, R.
S. S.; R. Huggitt, L. S, S.; W. Harrison, R. S. to V. G.; W. A.
Clayton, L. S. to V. G. The first Trustees were E. A. Rosenkrans,
George Luce and I. M. Hutches. The Noble Grand appointed
as a Finance Committee, H. Rosenkrans, W. Harrison and W. A.
Clayton.
Hie office of Noble Grand has been filled as follows: February
to July, 1877, J. W. Darland; July, 1877,-10 July, 1878, W. A.
Clayton; July, 1878, to January, 1879, W. E'. Hodgin; January to
July, 1879, W. A. Clayton; July, 1879, to January, 1880, W.
Wade; January to July, 1880, Robert Huggitt; iTuly, 1880, to
January, 1881, John Melugin; January to July, 1881, W. A.
Clayton; July, 1881, to January, 1882, Wm. O. Crumb; January
to July, 1882, H. Rosenkrans; July, 1882, to January, 1883, H. C.
Inman.
The charter was granted Oct. 18, 1877, and is signed by Herman
Block, G. M., and William Ganes, G. S. The present officers are
as follows: H. C. Inman, N. G.; W. O. Crumb, V. G.; John
Melugin, R. Sec; John Melugin, P. Sec. ; Robert Huggitt, War-
den; H. B. Nies, Conductor; William Wagner, O. G.; George
Schultz, I. G.; H. Montrose, R. S. to N. G.; W. Kinney, L. S. to
V. G. The membership is now forty-six, and the lodge is pros-
perous financially and otherwise. It meets at Odd Fellows' Hall
every Monday evening.
Marble Bock Lodge^ No. 96, 1. L, of H.^ was organized Nov. 15,
1880, by Instituting Officer Holm, with a charter membership of
twenty-nine. The first officers were as follows: John Goodmiller,
President; T. W. Boon, Vice-President; William A. Clayton,
Recording Secretary; A. J. Asper, Financial Secretary; A. W.
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1078 " HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Hawks, Treasurer; C. J. Clark, Chaplain; W. F. Hall, Usher; O.
W. Wallace, Door-keeper; G. M. Hubbard, Sentinel.
The office of President has been filled by John Goodmiller, until
July 1, 1882, when L. W. Rosenkrans was elected to that office.
The present membership is eighteen. The present officers,
chosen July 1, 1882 are as follows: L. W. Rosenkrans, President;
G. M. Hubbard, Vice-President; H. J. Ackley, Recording Secrcr
tary; Samuel Sours, Financial Secretary; A. W. Hawks, Treasurer;
O. W.Wallace, Chaplain; C. C. Brown, Usher; Egbert Hawks,
Door-keeper; Peter Halstead, Sentinel. The lodge meets the first
and third Tuesdays of each month.
The purposes of this organization are similar to those of other
secret societies, chiefly insurance. It pays $2,000 to the family ot
any member who dies. The only other lodge in the county is at
Charles City.
The Independent Order of Oood Templars had for many years a
flourishing lodge at Marble Rock. It was organized in 1858, and
among the first members were: H. C. Inman, Samuel Rex, George
E. Frost, Wolsey Hawks, Ephraim Inman, L. S. Horr, Alonzo
Inman, Egbert Hawks and 0. F. Beelar. H. C. Inman was the
first Worthy Chief Templar. Among the first lady members
were Sarah M^CoUun (now Mrs. H. C. Inman), Mrs. A. M. Sours,
Mrs. Emily Ackley and Emeline Comstock (now Mrs. Nicholas
Rosenkrans). The lodge had a continuous existence except for an
interval of about three years at the close of the war. At times it
was very strong, having at one time a membership of seventy.
For many years it averaged thirty. The charter was surrendered
in June, 1880.
Charity Chapter^ No. 49, 0. E, S., was organized May 25, 1877,
by J. A. Carson and Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, of Fidelity Chapter,
at Rockford. The following were the officers elected at this meet-
ing: G. H. Nicholas, W. P.; Mrs. M. E. Hodgln, W. M.; Mrs.
E, A. Rosenkrans, A.M.; Mrs. W. A. Jndd, Treasurer; Mary
Judd, Secretary; Mrs. J. W. Darland, Conductress ; Mrs. L. S.
Horr, Assistant Conductress; Mrs. Mattie Darland, Adah; Mrs.
C. Hutches, Ruth; Mrs. G. H. Nichols, Esther; Mrs. Martha Brown,
Martha; Mrs. Mary Winchell, Electa; Dr. E. B. Haines, Warden;
W. E. Hodgin, Sentinel. The chapter has not met since July 22,
1881, though there are about thirty members resident here.
The Patrons of Husbandry had a grange at Marble Rock about
1873, which met for about a year, and then died out. Among the
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UNION TOWNSHIP. • 1079
prominent members were J. T. Baltimore, Loren Inman and H.
Lorey. For a time the organization was very strong, and its mem-
bers very active.
OTHER SOCIETIES.
The Mar1>le Rock Comet Bartd was organized abont 1875, and
has had a continuons existence ever since. It has now nine mem-
bers, as follows: L. B. Clark, E Flat Comet; J. P. Kindall, B Flat
Comet; Dr. A. M. Brown, E Flat Comet; B. Greenwood, Solo
Alto; C. Jessmo e, Tenor; T. Manchester, Tenor; J. Hitter, Tuba;
William Ritter, Bass Dmm; William Noble, Snare Drum. The
band has played principally at home, but occasionally visits Rock-
ford, Greene, and other neighboring places. Connected with the
band is the Marble Rock Orchestra, composed of the following
members: J. P. Kindall, Leader, First Violin ;B. Greenwood, Second
Violin; S. B. Clark, Cornet; J. Wilson, Clarionet; O. P. Schermer-
horn, Bass Viol and Caller.
The Marble Rock WoinarCs Christian Temperance Union was
organized June 21, 1882, at the Methodist Episcopal church, by
Mrs. J. C. Lockwood, County President. The officers elected at
that time were as follows: Mrs. C. E. Hightshoe, President; Mrs.
S. P. BisSell, Vice-President; Mrs. H. H. Davidson, Secretary;
Mrs. H. C. Inman, Treasurer. The union has a membership of
about fifty, and considerable interest is manifested in the work.
The members feel quite hopeful that the society, though young,
will soon be productive of much good. They meet alternate Wed-
nesdays at the Methodist Episcopal church.
Our Country^s Defenders was the name of an organization
some what similar to the Grand Army of the Republic. Its
membership comprised ex-soldiers, and the society was designed to
promote the interest of those who took up arms in defense of their
country. It was a secret organization, with a regular ritual and
paraphernalia. An encampment was organized at Marble Rock,
June 9, 1880, but no charter was received, so that no meetings
have been held since. 4 ^
The following officers were duly elected: W. D. Lamb, Com-
mander; John Good miller. Lieutenant; Willard Bucklin, Adjutant;
H. Garber, Quartermaster; H. S. Waist, Sergeant-Major; James
Conner, Quartermaster-Sergeant; A. A. Egnew, Chaplain; Smith
S. Boon, Officer of the Day; Milon Hubbard, Officer of the
Guard ; Horace Hawks, Drum Major; Wiley Boon, Chief Musician.
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1080 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOTTNTY.
BIOOBAPHICAL.
C. T.. AcMey was born in Pittsfield, Otsego County, N. Y.i
July 25, 1833. He was the sixth child of James and Nancy
Ackley* Mr. Ackley made New York his home till 1855, when he
came to Iowa, arriving in Union Township, this county, on the
24th day of November. The same fall he pre-empted the farm ot
160 acres, where he still resides, on section 20, township 94, range
17, about two miles southwest of Marble Kock. The year follow-
ing his arrival he built the first residence in Aureola, and was the
first white resident of that place. Here they lost a child, Marian,
at about the age of four months; this was the first death of the
place. The high water caused considerable malaria, and Mr-
Ackley and his wife were both afllicted with the malady, which
caused them to change their location. He then moved to his farm,
where he had just completed the building of a fine large frame
house. This home they enjoyed till April, 1860, when it was
destroyed entirely by fire; the building was not the only loss-
Having no granary he placed in this house all his grain, which
was also lost, as well as the greater portion of hie furniture.
Though Mr. Ackley has furnished us much interesting matter, we
believe he could have furnished even more had he not lost in this
fire a diary which he had kept since coming to this country. He
a once erected a log house that served as a home till the year
1879, when he built one of the best residences in the county. His
surroundings are beautified with shade and fruit trees, so that he
has one of the finest homes and farms in the Northwest. On the
16th day of January, 1861, he started with his family for New
York; on account of snow blockades, it took them seventeen days
to get to Dubuque; they shoveled snow most of the way. They
returned in November, 1862, to this county. In December, 1868,
Mr. Ackley enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer
Infantry, Judge Reiniger, Captain. Served his country till the
war closed, being discharged in July, 1865. His life as a soldier
was an active one, participating in many hard engagements; a few
of the most prominent ones w€^ give below. We can group
them by saying he was in all the battles near Atlanta, Peach Tree
Creek and Sherman's march to the sea. Pumpkin Vine, Dallas, Jones-
borough ; here the color-bearer was wounded, and Mr. Ackley
carried the colors till the close of the war. He was never woundedi
but has stood touching elbows with men who were shot. A
marvelous incident is related by Mr. Ackley, that we make note of
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1081
here, illustrating how often death's missiles, though their numberi
are legion, are ioeffectiye: At Jonesborough thej were ordered
to charge upon the enemy double quick; during this act the shot
and shell and rifle balls rained dowu upon them like hail, and not
a single man was wounded. Thej had scarcely made this charge
till they wire ordered to make a similar charge in another direc-
tion; this they did under as heavy a tire as before, and not a single
man was hit with a missile of death. Of course this is not the
rule but a marvelous exception. At the battle of Ray's Ferry,
Georgia, there were sixty-three men killed and wounded in his
regiment in less than thirty minutes. The last three months of
Mr. Acklay's service he was in the rear, on account of sickness
contracted by the exposure of army life. Part of this time he
was in the hospital; we are sorry to have to add that he has never
recovered fully from those troubles; it seems almost cruel in nature
to furnish men with disease the balance of their lives, w i> hive
contracted it in the defense of their country. Sinwe Mr. Arkley's
return from the army, he has resided upon his farm with the
exception of three years, when he rented his farm and lived in
Marble llock. Mr. Ackley was married in New York State in
1863, to Miss Elizabeth Thayer, a native of Otsego Oounty, N. Y.
They have a family of three children — Leonora E , now the
wif of Charles Morrison, and resides in Phillip County, Kas. ;
Elbom D., now twenty-one years of age; Merton I., twelve years
of age. The sons are both residing at home. Mr. Ackley has
been a life long Republican and Prohibitionist, voting first for
J. C. Fremont. Has held the office of Assessor and Township
Trustee several times, being among the first elected.
Q, C. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y , in 1827. He
was the third child of James and Nancy Ackley. Here Mr. Ackley
made his home till 1853, when he came to Floyd County, la.,
where he remained only a short time, when he went to Illinois and
remained three or four months ; then he returned to this county,
staid about six months, when he again returned to Illinois and
staid till 1855, when he and the rest of tlie family came to this
county, and have since resided. G. C. Ackley reside:* where he
first settled with his parents, situated on section 20, Union Town-
ship. Mr. Ackley was mir ied m this county in 18^)9, to Miss
Lucinda Vanduzen. Tlieir family eons'sts of fiur chil Iron — Wm.
Henry, Lilly Elmer, Charles E. and Geurge M. Mr. Ackley is
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%Q^ HISTOBT OF FLOYD COUNTY.
not only first among the citizens of this coontj in point of time,
but in point of citizenship. Though not an aspirant for oflSce he
has always taken an active interest in the success of the Eepub-
lican party. Mr. Ackley is another man who, by his life, has
demonstrated that it requires a man of energy and pluck to face
these pioneer hardships. \
James Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 12,
1799 ; married Nancy Brightman in New York, April 18, 1822.
She was born in Ehode Island, Aug. 18, 1797. Moved to Illinois
in 1864. Came to Iowa Nov. 24, 1865, driving from Illinois with
a team, and settled upon the farm where G. C. Ackley now resides^
on section 20, township 94, range 17. Here he made his home
till his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1870. Mrs. Ackley is still
living. Both were members of the Free- Will Baptist church.
James Aekley's family consisted of eleven children ; nine grew to
man and Wi>manhood, six sons and three daughters, all of whom
are still supposed to be living. Their relative positions with regard
to ajj^e follow as their names are given below — David, died at the
age of ten, by falling from a tree and severing the jugular vein
on a snag that had been cut sharp with an ax ; Nnncy died at the
age of two, acc'dentally scalded by pnlling a kettle of hot water
onto herself; J. M. and G. C.'s sketches we have already in this
work ; Wm. H. came to Iowa in 1853, returned to New York in
1857 ; after visiting there a short time he tuok the train for the
West again, as. hi^ friends supposed, bat since that day has never
been lieard from ; Sally E. married Henry Schermerhom in New
York State and came West in 1855 ; Mr. Schermerhom died in
February, 1882 ; the widow resides in Scott Township with her
daughter, Mrs. Henry Montrose ; C. T. and RussePs sketches are
also in this work ; Fannie married E^l>ert Davis, whose sketch
will also be found here ; Jndson, whose sketch will also be found
in this work ; Mary Jane married Sam Kex, whose sketch will be
found in this work.
«/. M. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1825. He
is the oldest living child of James and Nancy Ackley. Mr. Ackley
made that State his home till he came to Iowa, which was in the
wiuterof 1853, locating in Union Township, Floyd County. The
tlrot two years he was scarcely settled in this C'»unty, bat spent a
portion of it in Illinois visiting friends and working. The second
year he returned to New York, and remained only about ten
months, when he returned to Iowa in company with his brother
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UMO^ TOWNSHIP. 1088
0. T. and his wife, and his own wife. At that d^te they could sot
go on the cars further than Danliff; from there to Cedar Falls they
staged it From there they had to hire a conveyance, paying $12
for the pleasure of riding over the wild prairie. In 1855 Mr^
Ackley and his brother 0. T. pre-empted 320 acres of land, and
built a long shanty. They had a partition through this building,
each amily living upon his own land, thus securing the clear title
to the land under the law. Upon this land Mr. Ackley still
resides, being situated on section 29, range 94 west, Union Town-
ship; has added to his first purchase, so that now he owns in all
215 acres. In the year 1872, or thereabout, he built him<elK afine
residence, being one of the best in the connty. His home is nicely
situated and presents a fine appearance. Mr. Ackley is now en-
joying the fruits of a life of ambition and energy and industry.
He began at the stump, as some term it, and has raised himself
to a position of independence. His start in this county was dis-
couraging. On the way he and his brother 0. T. each lost a large box
pf clothing, supposed to be burned up in the Chicago depot, the
most of which was new and badly needed, for they were without a
change of clothes and nearly out of money. These were indeed
dark days. But for these stout-hearted pioneers the grand West,
now swarming with busy people and waving vrith rich harvests,
would be a desert still. Mr. Ackley was married in 1855 to Miss
Julina Thayer, a native of New York. They have no family
living; lost two children in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ackley have
been members of the Free- Will Baptist Church for the past twenty-
five years. Mr. Ackley was never an office-seeker though he has
been a life-long and solid Bepublican.
H. J. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. T., in 1835. He
was the sixth child of James and Nancy Ackley. When Mr. Ack-
ley came to Iowa he was twenty years of age, it being in 1855.
He located in Marble Rock, where he still resides. He spent the
summer of 1855 traveling in Minnesota looking at the country;
afterward clerked in a store nearly a year in Marble Kock; the year
following worked at the carpenter's trade. The winter of 1860 he
taught school in Rock Grove, where he made the acquaintance of
Mr. Gaylord. From this date till 1870 he was principally engHged
in farming, though he worked at the trade of carpenter some of the
time. In 1870 he went into the hotel basinessand ran the Marble
Rock Hotel nearly a year. The year t'ollowins^ he clerked for Shep-
ardson & Beelar, dry-goods merchants. The year following he
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1084 HISTORY OF FLOYD oouimr.
resumed farming, at the expiration of which time he assumed the
manHgement of the elevator and oontinned at it three years. He
again engaged in farming and continued at it nntil 1879, when he
took charge of the Beelar House and ran it nearly two years. At
tliis date we find kirn still a resident of Marble Rock, enjoying a
fine home and the society of his many friends. Mr. Ackley was
married July 6, 1861, to Miss Maria J. Baltimore, daughter of Ash-
bury Baltimore, Tliey have a family of six children — Ella Irene,
Viva Estell, Nancy Isabel, Ashbury J., Bertha Mny and Nellie
Ethel. Mr. Ackley is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor.
Politically he is a Bepublican and Prohibitionist; has held the
office of Town Olerk one year, Trustee two years, and Constable
four years, and is at present a member of the Tuwn Council.
S. J. AMey was born in New York State in 1840. He was the
yonngest son of James and Nancy Ackley. At the age of twelve he
6ame with his parents to Iowa, locatingin Floyd County. He made
his home with his parents about six years after coining to the
county. In 1859 he married Miss Emily Rex. At this date he
commenced for himself by renting land. In 1866 he lost his wife
who left him three children — Id* V. makes har home with her
grandmother; Garrison, married and a farmer; Djsiemona A.
makes her father^s house her home. Mr. Ackley mirried his sec-
ond wife, Sarah J. Asper, in 1870. They h^ve thi-ee children—
Arminta P., Nellie Ann and Joseph H. Politically Mr. Ackley is a
Republican.
t/. D. Anthony was born in New York State, March 30, 1838.
Here he made his home till ho was about twenty years of age, when
he went to Ulinois, where he remained about ten years, in White-
side County. About six mcmths after going to Illinois, his father,
Peter, and mother, Nancy Anthony, joined him and made his house
ttieir home while he remained in the State. Mr. Anthony came to
Floyd County ia 1864, locating in Marble Rock, where he has
since resided. Shortly after he left Illinois his father died, and his
mother made her home with her son, A. P. Anthony, in Chicago,
for about eleven yeart^, when she came to Iowa, and again made her
homo with her son, J. D. Anthony, till her death, which occurred
in 1878; her remains lie in the Marble R»ck Cemetery. In New
Tork he learned the heavy brace carpenter's trade. After going to
Illinois he turned his attention almost absolutely to farm work, at
which he worked most of the time while iii the State, and since
coming to Iowa has turned his attention principally to carpenter-
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1085
iog, doing the most of the building in Marble Rock. The fine
school-house is a grand monnment to his memory. He has built
for himself one of the finest residences in the connty. His sur-
roundings are naturally beautiful and embellished without so that
he has one of the grandest homes on the Shell Rock River. The
house presents a grand view from its commanding position, over-
looking some of the finest beauties of nature's art up and down the
Shell Rock. Mr. Anthony deserves great credit for the pluck and
energy in his pioneer life, and its conflicts - with hard times. He
has raised a family of five children and keeps them in school con-
stantly, and means to furnish each with a good education. Mr.
Anthony was married Nov. 16, 1862, to Miss Magdaline Clay.
The names of the children are— John J., Clara C, Albert A.,
Nancy Bell, and Anna Edith.
W. H. Ash was born in Wisconsin, in 1862. He is a son of W.
D. Ash, a resident of Wisconsin. W. H. Ash made his home in
Wisconsin till the spring of 1881, when he moved to Oerro Gordo
County, Iowa, where he remained till September of the same year;
at this date he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating upon
the farm of 164 acres, where he still resides, on the Shell Rock
River, about three and a half miles south of Marble Rock. He is
at present cultivating about eighty acres. Mr. Ash was married
Jan. 27,1872, to Miss Martha Hales, a native of England, being
bom there in 1860, and coming to America at about the age of
one year. She was a daughter of James Hales, who resided in
Wisconsin. He died in 1864. They have one son — Leland, nearly
three years of age. Politically he is a Democrat, though his wife's
influence is in favor of the Republican party. Mr. Ash is a mem-
ber of the order of Freemasons.
A. J. Asper was born in Summit County, O., in 1886. At the
age of thirteen he commenced to do for himself by running a retail
patent- medicine wagon in Ohio. At this he was engaged about
four years. At the expiration of this time he went to Plaiufield,
111., and worked in a drug store with E. G. Wright about five
years. In 1858 he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in
Marble Rock, Union Township, where he engaged in farming till
1868. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh
Iowa Volunteer Infantry; served on the Atlanta campaign as far
as Big Shanty, Northern Georgia; then was put into detached
service with the Western Sanitary Commission, headquarters at St.
Louis; operated at the front till Atlanta was vacated, when he re-
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1086 HISTOEY OF FLOYD OOXTNTY.
turned to St. Lonis and remained in the same avocation till he was
mustered out in Jtilj, 1865, when he returned to Marble Rock and
engaged in the grocery business; this he continued about two
years, when he sold out and engaged in buying and shipping grain,
at which he continued about eight years. In 1880 he purchased an
entire new stock of drugs, and is still engas^ed in that business. A
word of e^mment being admissible, we wish to say he has a fine
store and is doing a very good business. In Marble Rock, March
18, I860, he and Miss 0. S. Hawks were united in marriage. She
was a native of New York State. They have a family of five chil-
dren— Roderio R., Cora £., Nora M., Edith I., Blanche E., Oarl J.
Htcssdl Z.Bailey was born in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, O.,
July 27, 1838. He was a son of David and Eimira Bailey, both
natives of New England. Mr. Bailey lived in Ohio till be was
twelve years of age, when he moved with his parents to DeKalb
County, III., where he resided till August, 1861, when he enlisted
in Company A, Second Illinois Light Artillery; served his coun-
try three years and was mustered out in September, 1864, at
Springfield, 111. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner, though
he was in some of the hardest-fought battles of the Rebellion,
among the more prominent of which were the siege of Vicksburg,
battles of Coffey ville and Hickman, besides a host of sharp skir-
mishes. Immediately after his return from the army he came to
Floyd County, la., and remained about six months, when he re-
turned to Illinois and remained about a year, when, in the fall of
1866, he returned to this county to make bis home. His first pur-
chase was on section 21, consisting of 160 acres, where he lived
three years, when he sold to Isaac Shultz, and bought the farm of
160 acres where he now resides, on section 27, about three miles
southeast of Marble Rock. The railroad cutting off about forty
acres on the west side, he has since purchased eighty acres on sec-
tion- 30, about three miles southwest of Marble Rock. He also
owns 200 acres six miles west of Marble Rock, in Scott Township,
mating in all 440 acres, besides some property in the village of
Marble Rock. He puts in crop yearly about 150 acres, besides
keeping from thirty to forty head of cattle and horses, and from
forty to fifty hogs. In 1870 he built one of the best farm houses
in the county, the other buildings and surroundings being in keep-
ing with the house. Mr. Bailey was married in Sycamore, 111., in
1865 to Cora Robison, a native of New York State. They have
four children— Loey R., Elroy B., Lon A., and Earl R., ages,
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THE JtCW YORK
PUBUC UaftARY
ASTOR LCNOX AND
TULOBM FOUNI>ATtOMS
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f^jtfu^^^^^
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1087
nfbeen, ten, eighty and three respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey
and their eldest son are members of the Baptist church.
Ashbury Baltimore was born in Montgomery Oounty, O., near
Dayton, June 16, 1807. At about the age of twelve, he went with
his father, Philip Baltimore, to Wayne County, Ind., where Mr.
Ashbury Baltimore farmed for about thirty years, when he went
to Michigan and farmed about five years. At the expiration of
this time he returned to Indiana and farmed four years. June 29,
1853, he became a citizen of Floyd Ooanty, Iowa, locating in what
is now known as Marble Rock, Union Township. Has baen inter-
-ested in farming principally ever since coming to the county. He
was the second man who settled in the township. In those days
he had to go to Oedar Rapids for provisions, and hiul grain to
Independence, Waterloo and McQregor. The price of wheat some-
times was as low as thirty -five cents a bushel, bat usually ranged
from seventy-five to eighty cents, while pork was from three to five
dollars. He got one dollar for his first wheat and fifteen cents for
his first pjrk, dressed. Mr. Baltimore owns 200 acres of land
three miles from tho pleasant village of Marble R)ck, which he
superintends still. He owns also a pleasant home in the village
besides ten town lots nicely situated, that will soon be occupied as
villas homes. He was the first man in the county who ever got
a premium on a wolf and wild-cat scalp, which he received in 1856.
Tiie first school in the township was taught in his house. Mr.
Baltimore was married in Wayne County, Ind., Nov. 4, 1830, to
Miss Sarah Ritter. She was also a native of Ohio, being born there
Sept. 3, 1812. Their family consisted of nine children, six of
whom are now livinof. They all reside in Union Township except
one son, who resides in Nebraska — Louiza, born Aug. 16, 1838,
now the wife of Peter Vorhes; Maria, bjrn Doc. 25, 1840, married
R. J. Ackley; Sarah, born Feb. 7, 1813, married Laban Vorhes;
John, born Dec. 5, 1814, married Tilla Palferd; Diantha, born Oct.
4, 1848, married Charles F. Bealar; Mary, born June 23, 1850,
married William Bucklin. Of this large family we can but remark
they are well worthy the pride of their father, since they are all
acting well their parts in life, ani are well to do. And they
in return can be proud of a father who had the courage to face all
the hardships of pioneer life in order to secure homes for his
-chiMren. Mr. Baltimore is one of those few men who lias by his
own exertions wrung from the hard haa J of toil a property that
makes him independent. He is one of those men, too, who has
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1088 UI8T0BT OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
helped lay the foandation to Floyd County's sncoessfal history. If
the coming generation maintain the good order and society these
stoat-handed men did, they will be doing more than is expected
of them. Mrs. Baltimore's mother is still living with them at the
advanced age of ninety-eight. An incident that will long be
remembered by his family, who were nearly all present at the time,
we make note of here, as almost a miraculoas draft of fishes. One
of the severe winters not long after coming to this county, he con-
ceived the idea that there might be some fish caught by catting
through the ice. This was done with great success, securing about
a wagon-load of beautiful fish. While they were engaged in this
they heard the dogs running a deer, and presently a large one
came sliding and slipping on the ice, and fell not far from them.
Mr. Baltimore seized the grand opportunity and slaughtered him
then find there. Venison and fish were a plentiful article of food
at the Baltimore house for some months afterward.
George Barth^ deceased, was born in Canada, Aug. 12, 1836. He
remained in Canada, engaged in farming, till the 9th of of March,
1872, when he came to Floyd County, la., and bought the farm
where the family still resides, on section 2, Union Township,
about three miles northeast of Marble Bock. His first purchase
was three eightys; he afterward bousrht the balance of section 2,
making the only full section farm in Union Township. Upon this
farm was a small building. This he added to and rebuilt, so that
now it is a large farm-house. Tins farm was all wild land except
150 acres. It has since all been cultivated, except 160 acres,
which is kept for pasture and timber. Upon this farm Mr. Barth
lived till his death, which occurred March 20, 1878. He was mar-
ried in Canada, July 9, 1868, to Mary Harbert, who was bom in
Qermany, Feb. 29, 1843, and went to Canada with her parents
when she was about four years of age. The family consists of
seven children — Mary, Margaret, Gteorge, Lydia, John, Daniel and
William. Mr. and Mrs. Barth were members of the Lutheran
charch, and Mrs. Barth is still a member of the same.
O. F. BeelarweiBhom in Missouri, Nov. 18, 1838; came to Iowa
with his father, Jacob Beelar, when a mere child, and has since
made this State his home, stopping in Lee County about six years,
and about six years in Bremer County. At about the age of thir-
teen he became a citizen of Floyd County, and has since that time
resided here upon the bank of Shell Eock Eiver, where the
pleasant little village of Marble Rock now stands. He has been
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1089
more or less identified with its growth, though he has given
considerable attention to farming. He in company with Mr.
Shepardson engaged in the mercantile business two jears in
Marble Rock, it being about the year 1870. In 1871 he engaged
in the hotel business, at which he remained about eight years.
Since then he has rented it part of th^ time. He bnilt the hotel
and barn him&lf, which reflects considerable credit upon the town
and upon his own enterprise. In 1880 he and N. H. Ostrander
built a creamery in the village, which is quite an accession to the
village. It is run by the water-power of a lively little brook,
through the auspices of a livelier eleven-inch turbine wheel, which
furnishes an abundance of power. Its capacity for making butter
is, easily, 800 pounds, per day. He owns in addition to his town
property about 230 acres adjoining the village, which occupies a
portion of his attention. Politically we find Mr. Beelar a Repub-
lican, and awake to the live issues of the day, as his bold energy in
behalf of the Amendment will illustrate; has held the office of
Constable and Town Clerk, and is now filling the office of
Justice of the Peace. In 1868 he and Miss Diantha Biltimore
were united in marriage in Marble Rock. She was a native of
Indiana. They have two children— Oscar and Maudie, ages thir-
teen and ten respectively. Of Mr. Beelar we beg leave to say he is
not only one of the first men of his township in point of time of set-
tlement, but in point of citizenship.
Jacob Bedar^ deceased, was born in Tennessee, Feb. 22, 1789,
where he made his home with his father, who was a farmer, till he
was about twenty years of age, when he went to Indiana, and
remained there till about the year 1838, when he came to Iowa,
locating first in Lee County, where he remained about six years;
thence to Bremer County, and stopped about six years, and in
February, 1852 he became a citizen of Floyd County. He too a
Government claim of 600 or 700 acres, the land not being then in
market, but soon as it was made possible he entered about 480,
upon which he resided till his death, which occurred Jan. 25, 1858.
This property was situated where Marble Rock now stands. A
16 X 16 log house was the first building erected in the township.
This he built in 1851, the year previous to bringing his family
into the county. In 1852 he built another log house, 20 x 30.
Neither of these houses now stand, the larger one being destroyed
only six or seven years ago. Mr. Beelar was the fircf^t settler in
this township, and remained about one year without a single neigh-
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1090 HMTOBT OF FLOYD OOUNTTr.
bor. He married his first wife in Indiana, and by her he had six
children. He married his second wife, Caroline Fishep, a native
of Q-ermany, in Crawfordsville, Ind., by whom he had 'six chil-
dren, fonr still living; their names are as follows: Oynthia Ann,
who is now the wife of Abram Johnson, and resides in Homer,
Hamilton County, Iowa; C. F. Beelar is the next oldest, who is
married and resides at Marble Bock, upon the old homestead;
Jesse Mc, also married, and living in Verndale, Minn ; Dartha,
now the wife of Jacob Rex, residing at Paget Sound, Wash.
Ter., where Mrs. Beelar is living with his daughter, at the ad-
vanced age of seventy-six. Mr. Beelar was a man of perfect phys-
ical organization and health, being five feet and ten inches till, and
weighing about 240 pounds. He was identified with the war of
1812.
S. P, Bissell was born in Aurora, Portage County, Ohio, in
1826. Here he made his home till about twenty-eight years of age;
he was reared on a farm, and received a good common-school edu-
cation; at the age of twenty-one he entered the Twinsbnrg Acad
emy, where he remained two years, during part of which time he
was an assistant teacher. At the age of twenty-four he married
Harriet L. Griffith, daughter of James Griffith, one of Floyd
County's pioneers. Shortly after his marriage he went to Wiscon-
sin and engaged in farming one season; afterward returned to Ohio
and remained about three years. In his twenty-fifth year he com-
menced to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which avocation he was
employed till he came to Iowa in 1854. He located first in Nora
Springs, where he remained about two years; his first work in this
county was to iron off a saw-mill at Nora Springs, after which he
taught the first singing school in Floyd County. While he resided
at Nora Springs he worked at his trade, but the population was so
scarce that he was unemployed three fourths of the time, though
farmers came as far as 100 miles to get a plow layed; he had many
customers from Minnesota. At the expiration of this two years he
moved to Floyd, where he resided six or seven years, engaged in
blacksmithing and teaching occasional classes in vocal music, after
which he moved to Fayette for the purpose of having his family
avail themselves of the opp >rtunities afforded by the college; here
he remained three years, which time he was wholly employed in
teaching vocal music in that part of the country; a part of the time
he was a teacher of music in the college. In 1868 he became a
citizen of Marble Rock, where he continued his profession as
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1091
teaeher of Tooal mnaic, and was agent for a life and fire insnranoe
company, till the fall of 1880, when he abandoned teaching on
acconnt of his impaired health. In 1881 he again resumed his
trade, at which we find him engaged. With all dne respect to Mr.
Bissell, we wish to say, in one sense of the word, he appears out
of his place in a blacksmith shop. Not that he is not proficient,
but he seems better calculated to fill a position where muscle is not
absolutely king. As a music teacher, he certainly is an eminent one.
Sin^ he was seventeen years of age a twelve months has scarcely
passed but he has taught more or less. The truth of the statement
will be seen when we say that he has taught over 100 terms of
school. Mr. Bissell was married Feb. 28, 1849, in the city of
Cleveland, Ohio; his family consists of two children living —
Frankie is now the wife of £. A. Bosenkrans; Fred is engaged
with the mining speculations of Idaho. In 1878 Mr. Bissell lost
his third child, Elmer E., at the age of eleven, by drowning in the
Shell Rock River, close to the village.
T. W. Boon was born in Washington County, Ohio, May 10,
1843. He is a son of Thomas and Eunice Boon, who are now both
deceased. The mother died about the year 1856. His father died
in April, 1879. When T. W. Boon was about ten years of age, he
went to Illinois in company with his father. They spent abont
two years in DeEalb County, while the two older brothers, W. M.
and S. M., were breakin^^ up prairie and building houses on land
his father had previously purchased in Union Township, Floyd
County, Iowa. It was in the year 1856 that Mr. Bodu became a
citizen of Floyd County, where he has since resided, with the ex-
ception of two years spent in Clay County and three years in the
army. He enlisted in July, 1862, in Company Q, Thirty-second
Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was never wounded or taken prisoner,
but was on three different occasions taken to the hospital as a pa-
tient, remaining only a short time, the longest stay being about
thirty days. He participated in some of the hardest engagements,
among them Cape Girardo, Little Rock, Ark., Lake Chico, Mem-
phis, Tenn., the battle of Tupelo, besides the many skirmishes con-
nected with Price's raid on St. Louis, known as the Iron Mountain.
The last battle he was in was at Nashville, Dec. 15 and 16, 1864.
He was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., May 25, 1865. Mr. Boon
learned the mason's trade when about thirteen years of age, and has
worked at it for about twenty years. He was married Dec. 80,
1866, to Maggie Sherman, a native of Michigan. They have three
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1092 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
children — Emma J., Daniel and Harry E. Politically Mr. Boon
is a^ Republican.
George Bowers was born in Hillsboro County, N. H., in 1822.
He was a son of Jonathan S. and Elizabeth Bowers. At the
age of fourteen he engaged as a sailor on a whaling vessel. This
avocation he followed till he was twenty-two years of age. During
this time he sailed around the world, spending the most of the
time among the South Sea Islandti; spent nine months on Ascen-
sion Island, Carolina Group, it being the capital of the Group.
After he abandoned the sea he returned to New Hampshire, and
worked in a town about two years; afterward worked in a cotton-
mill in Chioopee, Mass. At this he engaged nine years. He re-
turned to New Hampshire and farmed about three years. In 1857
he went to Illinois, where he spent about nine years as a farmer.
From there he moved to Iowa, locating in Floyd County, and pur-
chased the farm of seventy acres where he still resides, in Union
Township, about one and three-quarter miles East of Marble Rock.
Mr. Bowers was married in 1846 to Miss Nancy Lawrence, a native
of Warren, Maine. She died in 1852, leaving two children — Alfred
and George, who died shortly afterward, both being very small.
Mr. Bowers married his second wife Sept. 16, 1861. Her name
was Bridget Heartt, anative of Ireland. They have no family.
C. W. Bowman was born in Indiana in 1836, where he made
his home till he was about fifteen years of age, when he moved
with his parents to Allamakee County, Iowa, and resided till Sept.
20, 1868, when he became a citizen of Floyd County, thus iden-
tifying himself as one of our county's first settlers. At this
time be purchased 160 acres where he still resides, on section 28,
Union Township. Has since added forty acres, making a fine
farm of 200 acres. He has a nice home, with its beautiful sur-
roundings and tine location. Every foot of the farm is under
first class cultivation. He crops yearly about' 160 acres, keeping
about thirty five head of cattle, and usually 200 head of hog-*, and
horses suflScient to carry on his farming. Mr. Bowman was mar-
ried in Allamakee County, in 1860, to Miss Sarah A. Callender, a
native of Ohio. They have no family. Mr. Bowman is a member
of the order of Freemasons. Though never an aspirant for oflSce,
he has always taken an active interest in politics, and votes the
straight Republican ticket.
A. M. Browriy M. /?., was born Sept. 3, 1846, in Woodstock, Vt.
His father. Dr. Alfred Brown, filled the chair of demonstrator of
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1098
anatomy in the Vermont Medical C!ollecife about two years, prac-
ticing medicine at the same time. About the year 1846 he moved
with his family to Waukesha, Wis., where he practiced only one
year wlien he died with Asiatic cholera. He left a family of four
children, three daughters and one son — Helen, the oldest, is the
wife of W. S. Rowe, a car manufacturer of Waukesha ; the
second, Edna A., is the wife of Prof. D. 0. Hall, of Boston, Mass.,
extensively engaged in the manufacturing of musical instruments ;
Cornelia O., the third daughter, married 0. H. Rice, of Adel, Dallas
County, la., proprietor of the Island farm ; A. M., the youngest
child and only son, the subject of this sketch, lived upon a farm
from his ninth to his fourteenth year, in Waukesha County, Wis.;
from this date till the year 1863 he was engaged in making mu^icaI
instruments. Aug. 80, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, First
United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers ; served his country
over two years, and returned home without a scratch from the
enemy^s bullets, though he participated in the hard-fought battles
of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., besides numerous skirmishes.
He was discharged Sept. 25, 1866, at Nashville, Tenn. He
returned to Boston and resumed his avocation of making musical
instruments about one year, when he went to Waukesha, Wis., and
commenced the study of medicine with V. L. Moore, a homeo-
pathic physician. He attended lectures at Iowa City one term,
and graduated at Rush Medical College in 1877, though he had
been practicing several years previously, having be^n in Scran-
ton, Greene County, in 1871, where he practiced till 1879, when
he went to Rockford, this county, and practiced two jeara. Feb.
21, 1881, he formed a copartnership with Dr. C. J. Clark in the
allopathy practice of medicine in Marble Rock. Was married Nov.
30, 1875, to Miss Nellie D. Hunt, a native of Illinois. Tboy
have one child — Eva L., bom Oct. 31, 1876.
Chwrlea C. Brovm was born in Indiana, Oct. 6, 1831, where he
remained with his father, John Brown, till he was fourteen years
of age, when the family moved to Rockford, 111., and remained
about six years, when the family again moved, this time to Lnfayette
County, Wis. Mr. C. C. Brown spent about sixteen yearsin this part
of the country, dividing his time between Wisconsin and Illinois,
residing not far from the State line any of the time. Feb. 24, 1865,
he enlisted in Company C, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry;
served his country six months, when he was discharged on account
of poor health; was mustered out Aug. 2, 1865, at Fort Leaven-
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1004 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
worth, Kas. Mr. Brown became a citizen of Floyd County in
1870, locating in Marble Eock, where he remained about two years
on a farm near the village, when he went to Nora Springs, where
he remained about five years, farming part of the time ; the balance
of the titne he was in the hotel business. In 1877 he returned to
Marble Rock, and has since made this his home. Since returning he
has been occupied in various ways, some of the time on thj railroad,
and some in a blacksmith shop, having learned that trade in Scales
Mound, 111. Mr. Brown was married in La&yette County, Wis.,
in 1856, to Miss Julia E. Stevens. They have three children —
Alma A., John F. and William H.
Michdd Brunner was born in Canada, in 1842; he was a son of
Jacob and Margaret Brunner, both natives of France. At about
the age of twenty-four, he came to the United States, loc^iting in
Winneshiek County, la., where he remained ten years, engaged
in farming. In 1876 he became a citizen of Floyd County; pur-
chased at that time the farm of 160 acres, where he still resides, on
section 13« Union Township; upon this farm he built a. fine farm
residence the year he came, and the two years following be built
a good barn. He has turned this farm from a wild raw prairie
into a thoroughly cultivated farm. His surroundings are adorned
with nicely arranged shade trees, so that he has one of the nicest
homes in the county. This farm he carries on himself, putting in
crup each year about 100 acres, and besides twenty acres he rents,
besides keeping about nine head of horses and nineteen cattle,
and irom forty-five to ninety head of hogs. Mr. Brunner was
marriid in 1865, to Catharine Ruftridge, a native of Canada.
They have a family of eight children— Jacob, Anna, Maggie and
Mary (twins), Evalina, William, Elatie and Antonia. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Brunner are members of the Lutheran church.
Miohad Carbiener was born in France in 1833. He was a son of
George and Catharine Carbiener. At about the age of twenty he
eame to America, locating first in Indiana, where he resided about
two years, when he went to Illinois, near Frankfort; here he lived
about seven years. At this date he came to Iowa, locating in Floyd
County, purchasing his farm of 300 acres, where he still resides, on
section 15, about one and one-half miles southeast of Marble R>ck.
This farm is one of the finest in the county. It is beantifully situ-
ated, prepenting one of the grandest views of the surrounding
country we ever saw. Mr. Carbiener has, by his own hard labor,
cleared the farm of rocks and grubs, and turned it from a wild, raw
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uiaoN TOWNSHIP. 108a
prairie, to a beantifnl farm, all being nnder a splendid state of cnl-
tivation. He bnilt afine honse and barn, and with nicely arranged
shade trees has his surronndings beantified so that he has one of
the nicest homes in the Northwest. He pats in crop, yearly,
about 270 acres. A portion he farms himself, and rents a part, be-
sides keeping from eight to ten head of horses and colts, and from
twenty to twenty-five head of cattle, and from forty to fifty head of
hogs, some years even exceeding this number. Mr. Carbiener was
married in 1860 to Mary Hammon, a native of France. They have
1%n children — Mary, married William Theman, and resides five
miles west of Marble Bock; Sarah, George, Margaret, Jacob,
Elizabeth, Michael, Lewis, Fredrick and William. The nine
younger children still reside at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Car-
biener are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically,
we are pleased to say that Mr. Carbiener always votes for the best
man, if he knows him, but when it comes to a State or United
States election he votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. Carbiener is
among those men who helped lay the successful and solid founda-
tion to the history of Floyd County. He is a man who has been
very successful, and has by his own exertions placed himsel
among the sound, able and wealthy farmers of our county. Not
only this, but he has the best word and wishes of all his neigh-
bors, and is social and pleasant to all, and has a host of friends.
Andrew Carney was born in Pennsylvania in 1821. He was
a son of Andrew and Barbara E. (Swagart) Carney. Mr. Carney
spent his childhood days and many years of his manhood in Penn-
sylvania, being fifty-one years of age when he left the State. While
there he made farming his principal avocation, though he was
engaged for a short time in the lumber and shingle business. Nov.
9, 1872, he came to Iowa, locating in Floyd County, purchasing
the farm of 160 acres where he still resides, on section 22, one and
one-half miles southeast of Marble Bock. To his first purchase he
has added 245 acres, making a farm of 405 acres lying all in one
body. This is one of Floyd County's best farms, being of the best
quality of soil, and under a splendid state of cultivation. His
residence is also beautifully situated, being located upon the
public thoroughfare, and within a few rods of the railroad track,
where the daily passing trains relieve the usual monotony of farm
life. Mr. Carney was married in Pennsylvania in 1847, to Mary
A. Shook, a native of Pennsylvania. Their family consists of nine
children living and two deceased — Mary Elizabeth, died at the age
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1096 HISTOBY OF FLOYD OOtTNTT.
of nine years and nine months, Nov. 6, 1860; Sarah J., now the
wife of David Eikenberry, resides in Batler County.; Clarissa
Violetta, died in 1865, at the age of eleven ; Harriet, married John
Flora, residesalso in Butler County, la. ; Clara Emma, now visiting
friends in Pennsylvania; George A., Albert W., Miles B., David
C, Daniel 0. and Andrew. The seven younger children still reside
at home. All the family were born in Pennsylvania except the
yoangast son. Mr. Carney voted for James K. Polk for President
when a young man, and has since adhered to the principles of the
Democratic party. Mr. Carney has for the past twenty-eight years
been a member of the Brethren church.
T. S. Clark was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1840. He was
the sixth child of Job and Rhoda J. Clark. At about the age of
twelve he moved with his parents to Jackson County, Iowa, where
they remained about sixteen years, when they came to Floyd
Connty, Iowa. Mr. Clark made his home with his father, farming
his place till he was about twenty-five years of age. In the year
1864 he purchased forty acres of land a mile and a half east of
Marble B >ck. This land he ran his face for. He broke up and put
in wheat twenty-seven acres, which crop paid for the land, breaking
and fencing, with some money left. At this time he lived in
Marble Rock. The year following he sold this land and ran his
face again for 160 acres near the first place. Upon this he moved
and lived twelve years. During this time he paid for his farm, but
lost some money in trying to make money by running a threshing
machine. In June, 1879, he sold this farm and bought 660 acres
where he now resides, four miles south of Marble Rock. His
farming is principally corn, oats and timothy, having in crop
usunlly 400 acres, keeping all the way from thirty-five to seventy-
five head of cattle, and more hogs than we can count, sometimes
has as high as 300 head. Mr. Clark was married in 1864 to Miss
Mary Edna Wallace, daughter of John Wallace, one of Floyd
County's pioneers. Their family consists of five children — Dora
Anna, Nellie, Mirtie, Job and George B. Mr. Clark is not only
am')ng the big farmers of the county, but is one of its early and
highly respected citizens. Politically he is a Republican.
Dr. C. J. Clark was born in Canada, June 16, 1834. When
about two years of age his parents moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where
Dr. Clark made his home till he was nineteen years of age. When
sixteen years of age he entered the Abbilt Academy, and gradu-
ated at the age of nineteen. Upon the completion of his studies
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1099
he at ODce commenced the stady of medicine under the tatorage of
Dr. T. T. Lockwood, at that time Mayor of the city of Boffalo.
' Dr. Clark attended medical lectures at the Balph Medical Ool-
lege, Toronto, Canada. He commenced the practice of medicine
in Hamilton, Canada, in 1856. Here he practiced till 1858, when
he took a course of lectures in the Albany Medical College, N. Y.
This done, he resumed the practice of medicine in New York,
where he remained a short time, when he returned to Hamilton,
Canada, and again commenced practice. Here he remained in a
fine practice till 1863, when he went into the service of the Gov-
ernment as a contract surgeon. Here he remained till the termi*
nation of the war, when he came to Iowa, locating first in Dyers-
ville, Dubuque County, where he practiced medicine three years.
The year following he spent in Bremer County, la. In 1869 he
became a citizen and practicing physician of Floyd County. The
first year was spent at Nora Springs; the year following he moved
to Marble Rock, where he is still doing a fine practice. Since
coming here he has been in constant practice, except the college
season of 1879-'80, when he was surgeon in charge in Bennett's
Hospital, Chicago, 111. Here he also received a diploma of M. D.
Dr. Clark was married in Canada, in 1853, and has three children —
Lora B., married, is^proprietor of a drug store in Marble Rook,
the largest in the county; Mattie, now the wife of H. C. Darland,
a resident of Marble Rock, formerly a school-teacher and merchant;
Mittie, a little daughter seven years of age. Dr. Clark is a mem-
ber of the order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Republican.
In 1876 he lost his wife, and is now living with his second wife,
formerly Carrie Van Myers.
Clot/rk cfe Kendall^ proprietors of the largest drug store in Floyd
County, situated in Marble Rock; formed the partnership May 1,
1882. Mr. L. B. Clark, the former owner of the stock, opened a
drug store in Marble Rock in 1878. This he ran only about six
months, when he was unluckily burnt out, losing his entire stock,
dwelling, household goods and photograph gallery, leaving him
$500 worse than nothing. Just eleven days from this catastrophe
he was again established in the drug business, by buying a drug
store of J. W. Martin, in company with A. R. Van Myers, with
whom he carried on business till his death, which occurred about
eighteen months afterward. At this event Mr. Clark bought his
partner's interest in the stock, and continued in business alone till
67
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1100 HISTOBY OF FLOYD COUNTY,
he took in his present partner. Mr. Clark was bom in Can-
ada May 1, 1865; came to the United States Sept. 1, 1866, locat-
ing first in Dubuqne County, la. He became a citizen of Floyd '
Connty in 1870. Prior to engaging in the drug business he
attended school principally. He was married Nov. 2, 1877, to
L. A. Baldon. They have one son — ^Harlie R., six months old.
J. P. Kendall was bom in Wapello County, la., in 1858; became
a citizen of Floyd County in 1870; was married in 1876 to Mary
C. Mumford, of Wisconsin. They have one child — Guy M., now
five years of age.
Z7. A. ColUson was born in Canada, Sept. 2, 1844; here he made
his home till the year 1862, when he went to Bockford, 111., and
remained till 1866, when he came to Marble Kock, this county,
where he has since resided. He learned the blacksmith and wagon
maker's trade in Canada with his grandfather, John Shaver; he
learned also the joiner's trade in that country. These avocations
he pursued there about six years. While in Illinois he* worked in
a sash and door factory eighteen months. After becoming a citizen
of Marble Rock he engaged in the carpenter and joiner's trade, and
continued it for about eleven years, contracting and running a force
of hands most of the time daring the summer months; two years,
during the winter months, found him in the cabinet shop of C. D.
Kendley. In the year 1877 he again resumed his avocation of
blacksmithing and wagon-making, at which we find him still
employed, in company with C. Brown, whom he took in as a part-
ner about ten months ago. They not only do a large business in
repairing, bat turn out a great deal of new work in different styles
of baggies and wagons. Mr. Collison is proficient in all there is of
his trade. Think we are safe in saying he is the only man in the
county who is the possessor of three trades. Mr. Collison is said
to be doing the largest business of the kind in the county, his cus-
tomers numbering over 300. Mr. Collison was married in Marble
Bock, Dec. 27, 1866, to Miss Almina Johnson, who has been a res-
ident of this county twenty-three years. They have two child^pn —
Kittie Gertrude and Charles A., aged fourteen years and fifteen
months, respectively.
James Conner was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in April,
1826. He was the fifth child of James and Mary Ann Conner.
Mr. Conner made New York State his home till 1864, when he
came to Iowa, locating in Cerro Gordo County, where he remained
about seven years, engaged in farming. In this county he bought
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XJinON TOWNSHIP. 1101
two farms, which he still owns. They are situated two miles
apart, in Doherty Township, each containing 160 acres, and under
a line state of cultiyation and improvement. In the year 1875 he
rented his farms and came to Marble Rock, where* he has since
resided, and has been mail conductor for the past five years, and
has never missed a trip. Mr. Conner enlisted in New York State
in 1862 in Company I, Scott's Nine Hundred United States Volun-
teer Cavalry. For two weeks after his enlistment he was engaged
as a recruiting officer and received the enlistment of twenty one
soldiers. Wlien he reported at headquarters there was no trans-
portation, and he took them to New York City at his own expense.
.For this exhibition of patriotism, together with many others of
Mr, Conner, he was honored with the position of Orderly Ser-
geant, but of this he never accepted, for the reason that he felt all
such honors wo aid better become a man who had won them in
actual service. Mr. Conner had scarcely been in the army two
weeks when he was taken sick with the black measles; lay in
the hospital about three months, when he was discharged. To
show the severity of the disease we remark here that when Mr.
Conner was taken sick his weight was 166 and his hair and beard
were black as a raven's wing; inside of thirty days his hair and
whiskers turned as white as snow, and his weight when discharged
and dressed in uniform was only 102 lbs. When he retarned
home he was a stranger, so to speak, to his nearest neighbors;
many would remark that they had certainly seen him but could
not place him. Mr. Conner was never expected back to the army,
but after remaining at home about one year he felt himself suf-
ficiently recovered to go back and fight rebels again. He enlisted
in 1863 in Company H, Eleventh New York Cavalry. He re-
mained in the army till the close of the war, it being about one
year; was discharjred at Memphis, Tenn., October, 1864. Mr.
Conner's army experience was one indeed of great ipterest. It
was so varied that we may say it ran from the pleasantest to the
most severe hardship. Those who are acquainted with the history
ol Scott's Nine Hundred know that they were organized to protect
the United States Capitol. So choice were they in the selection
of these troops and horses that the men were nearly of one age,
while each comp my's horses were of the same weight and color.
Mr. Conner'sc »mpany hadjet black horses, without a single white
hair, and all weighing 1,100 pounds, not varying five pounds.
This was indeed a brief military holiday. They were dressed in
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1102 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
the best the Government could aftord, and with well-blackened
boots and clean-brushed clothes thej spent several pleasant weeks,
which, of course, aroused the envy of those less fortunate. By the
judgment of the head officers they were sent to the front. They
were ordered to Texas, but upon arriving at New Orleans they
were ordered to hunt guerrillas, the most dangerous part of army
life. The rest of their army life waH spent in wading througli
swamps and jungles, placing themselves as a target for the sharp-
shooter. Mr. Conner relates the circumstances of a raid he was on
in connection with Sherman's march to the sea. They numbered
30,000, and by a peculiar practice of military tactics they were
kept wading the swamps in ambush as much as possible. They *
survived for four days without a bite to eat except leaves and buds
of trees. Their horses became fatigued and died by the dozen,
while many of them mired and drowned. Three hundred negroes
followed them into this swamp. Their fate was fearful. At the
end of the fifth day's journey there were only two remaining with
them, the rest either starving to death or drowning or miring. It
is supposed that but feAr ever lived to get out. The most of these
negroes were riding mules, but one by one they disappeared and
the mules followed on, and came very handy to those who lost
their horses. Mr. Conner was married in January, 1847, in New
York State, to Miss Rozilla Ingerson, a native of New York.
They have only one child living — Amelia, married to John Stewart,
and resides in Cerro Gordo County. It was not party spirit but
true royal patriotism that caused him to fight for his country so
tenaciously. He has been a life-long Democrat, and a strong
advocater of supporting the Constitution. For county officers he
wisely votes for the best man.
F. Crocker was bom in Grafton County, N. H., April 9, 1834.
He was a son of Benjamin S. and Eliza Jane (Howe) Crocker. At
the age of eleven Mr. Crocker moved with his parents to Lake
County, m., which he called his home till 1863, though for thir-
teen years he was a sailor on the lakes; six or seven years of
this time he sailed before the mast; afterward promoted to second
mate, then to first mate, which position he occupied about four
years; at the expiration of this time he was appointed to take
charge of a vessel. This position he continued in during the bal-
ance of the time. When he commenced this life he was but thir-
teen years of age, and was away from home three years on his
first trip. In February, 1863, he became a citizen of Floyd County
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1103
spending the first two years on rented land, at the end ot which
time he purchased forty acres on Flood Creek, S Charles Town-
ship, and resided on it about one year^ when he sold it and bought
another forty acres on the same creek, but in Union Township.
On this he lived about one year, when he sold it and bought eighty
acres, two and one-half miles northeast of Marble Rock. Upon
this he built a house, and made it his home about eighteen months,
when he sold and moved to Marble Rock, and rented a farm one
year. In the year of 1869 he bought the farm of 120 acres where
he still resides, two and one-half miles southeast of Marble Rock.
This is one of Floyd County's best farms, being all under good
cultivation, and of the best quality of soil, and raises as good crops
as are raised in the county. Mr. Crocker was married May 22, 1859,
in the city of Kenosha, Wis., to Pathina E. Porter, a native of
New York State. They have a family of three children living,
and one deceased — Frankie, the wife of James Reams, resides in
Greene, Butler County; Willis and Willie were twins (Willis died at
about the age of fourteen and one half, July 22, 1879; Willie
lives^with his father); Birdie J., the youngest, now about six years
of age. Mr. Crocker is a Republican and an out and out Prohi-
bitionist. He is also a member of the order of Freemasons.
fV. O. Crumb was bom in New York in 1838; at about the age
of twelve, he moved with his father, E. Crumb, to Indiana, where
W. O. made his home till 1862, when he came to Iowa. He
spent the first fifteen years farming, the first five years as a renter,
afterward purchased a farm in Scott. In 1880 he engaged in the
restaurant business in Marble Rock, at which avocation we still
find him, doing a pleasant business. Mr. Crumb was married
July 26, 1856, to Miss Hannah J. Claypool, a native of Michigan.
They have five children — Loretta A,, Mary O., Irving O., Lydia
L. and George L. Loretta married Godfrey Reihm, and resides in
Scott Township. Mary is the wife of Robert Fletcher, residents
of Scott Township. The rest of the children still make their
father's house their home. Mr. Crumb is a member of the I. O.
O. F., and is politically a Republican. Was in an early day
Constable, and one of the first ofiicers elected in Scott Township.
One time he held five offices, for the reason there were more offices
than men in the township, viz.: Assessor, Trustee, Sub-Director
President and Secretary of the Board of Directors.
benjamin Barlimd was born in Nicholas County, Ky., May
24, 1807. When about four years of age, he moved with his
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1104 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
father, Isaac Darland, to Preble County, O. Here Mr. Darland
made his home the majority of the time till he moved to Illinois,
which was in 1836. Mr. Darland learned the hatter's trade in
Richmond, Ind. He afterward worked at the trade in Greenville,
Oliio, three years, and eleven years in Fulton County, III. At the
expiration of this time he moved to Kane County, 111., and rented
land about three years, when he purchased a farm and made it his
home about five years. In 1856 he came to Floyd County, Iowa.
In the spring of 1855 he entered 320 acres of land; upon this land
be moved in 1866, where he made his home till 1873, when he sold,
and has since made no permanent place his home, spending most of
his time visiting friends in the East, making his home with his sons,
in Iowa. Mr. Darland's family consists of five children living,
and five deceased; two died in infancy, their names were Isaac
and Mathew, deaths occurring at Batavia, 111. J. W. is married
and in the dry-goods business in Marble Bock; Charles died at
Marble Kock, in 1867, aged fifteen years; Frances is now the wife
of J. L. Secor, and resides in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, near
Sheffield; Frank was killed at the battle of Blue Mills, Mo., Sept.
17, 1861, aged twenty-one years; Catherine married Mr. Chas. F.
Greenwood, aud resides in DeKalb County, 111.; Maria, wife of
W. Brubaker, died in Chicago, April 14, 1879; Frank was killed
in the army in 1861; Julia married Jesse Beelar, and resides in
Verndale, Minn.; Henry, married and resides in Marble Rock.
Oi Mr. Darland we cannot refrain from speaking as those who
know him best. He has not only been identified with this coun-
ty's interests from a very early date, but is interested still in the
history whose foundations he helped lay. Has always been a life-
long Kepublican, though never an office-seeking man. In Illinois
he held the oflSce of County Supervisor two years, in this county,
has been a member of the Board of Supervisors two years; and
was a member of the Iowa Legislature the year 1874, it being the
Fifteenth General Assembly. These positions he acceptably filled
besides others of his township and county, such as member of the
Board of Trnstees, Supervisor; etc. He is a man who always
tlirows his influence on the side that has for its motto: The
advancemetit of the country and the morality of its citizens, and
was a decided friend to the Amendment.
J. W. Darland was born in Greenville, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1838,
He is a son of Benjamin Darland, whose sketch will be found in
this work. At about the age of three he moved with his parents
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 11Q5
to Fulton County, 111., where he resided about ten years, attending
school most of the time. At the expiration of this time the family
moved to Kane County, and remained about four years. Here he
assisted his father on the farm. They then moved to De Kalb
County, 111., where Mr. Darland spent three years upon his father's
farm. Oct. 6, 1855, his father's family moved to Marble Eock,
this county. Mr. Darland made his home with his father, and
worked upon his farm till 1860, when he went to Muscatine and
taught school the winter of 1860, near Muscatine. The following
summer he spent upon a farm. In September, 1861, he enlisted
in Company G, Second Illinois Light Artillery; was mustered out
at the end of three years, but immediately re-enlistid, at Columbus,
Ky., in same company, and remained till the close of the war, be-
ing mustered out Oct. 4, 1865, at Springfield, 111. He was indeed
one of the Government's most faithful and profitable servants;
was never taken prisoner, nor in the hospital, nor wounded, though
he participated in ten hard-fought battles — Union City, Tenn.;
CofFeeville, Miss. ; Tupelo, Miss. ; Old Town Creek, Miss. ; Browns-
ville; Siege of Vicksburg; two days' battle of Nashville; Spanish
Fort; Tallahachie, Miss. He returned from the army to Marble
Rock and clerked the following six months for Hiram Bosenkrans.
In the spring of 1866 he went into the mercantile business himself,
in Marble Bock, which he continued two years, and then went to
Aureola, and remained in the mercantile business two years, when
he returned to Marble Bock, and continued in the same business
till 1878, when he sold his stock and went to Chicago, and engaged
in the grocery business, remaining in the city about one year, at
the expiration of which time he returned to Iowa, locating in Greene,
Butler County, where he engaged in the hotel business about one
year. Sef>t. 1, 1880, he returned to Marble Bock, and opened up
a fine general store, which business we find him still pursuing, very
successfully indeed. He has all his life made friends, and is to-
day enjoying the highest respect of the community as a straight-
forward and honorable business man. Mr. Darland* was married
Dec. 22, 1866, to Josephine Frost, daughter of Bobert Frost, one
of Floyd County's first pioneers, coming to the county in 1854.
'Twas he who built the first saw-mill in Union Township. It served
its day as a good mill, but is lately neglected for want of timber.
It stands to-day on the east bank of Shell Bock, at Aureola, as a
monument of early days. Mrs. Darland was born in Eane County,
111., in 1843, and came to Iowa at the age of eleven. Their family
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1106 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
consiBts of three children — Charles A., Harry 0., and Clarence,
ages, fourteen, twelve and ten respectively. Mr. Darland is a
member of the Odd Fellows and Freemasons. He is Mast^ of the
Masonic lodge, which position he has been elected to for five years.
Politically he is a Bepablican — never votes any other ticket. His
first vote was for John C. Fremont. Mr. Darland enlisted as a
private ; at the end of six months he was promoted to Corporal —
then to Qnartermaster Sergeant — then First Sergeant, and was pro-
moted to the commission of Second Lieutenant Ang. 22, 1864, which
position he held till he was mustered out.
Egbert Davia was born in New York State in 1881, where he
remained till he was twenty-three years of age, engaged in dairy-
ing and farming. He was the seventh child of Philip and Eatnrah
Davis. In 1864 Mr. Davis went to Illinois, where he remained
one year, when he came to Floyd County and has since resided^
with the exception of three years, which he spent in Hamilton
County. He resides on section 20, Union Township, upon a farm he
purchased in 1870. Mr. Davis was married in Union Township,
this county, in the spring of 1467, to Miss Fannie M. Ackley, a
native. of ^ew York State. Their family consists of six living
children — Jennette Amelia, married Alven Harden, and resides
ifear Mason City, la.; James A., Nina A., E. S., Charles £. and
Rutherford B. Hayes still make their father's house their home.
Though never an aspirant for office he has always taken an active
interest in politics and votes the straight Republican ticket.
JS. Qa/rher was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1838. At about
the age of fourteen he moved with his father, Joseph Garber, to
Clayton County, Iowa, where he made his home till Aug. 20, 1862,
when he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer
In&ntry; served his country three years lacking twelve days,
being mustered out Aug. 10, 1866, at Clinton; was in the hospital
only twenty days during this time; was never wounded nor taken
prisoner. He and his brother Joseph and three cousins enlisted in
the same company and at the same date, and all came out
unscathed except his brother, who was discharged in about six
months after enlistment, and returned home and died finally of
disease contracted in the army. Mr. Qarber's army life was the
experience of a faithful soldier. Participated in many engage-
ments; a few we give below: Little Rock, Ark.; Fort Derussa,
Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, battle of Nashville, Fort
Spanish and Fort Blakely at Mobile, Ala. After his return from
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1107
the army be joined bis father's family who, in the spring of 1865,
moved to Floyd County, where H. Garber has since resided with
the exception of the year 1874, which he spent in Clayton County.
Mr. Ghirber was married July 31, 1867, to Miss Electa A. Wallace,
daughter of John Wallace, of Marble Rock. They have two chil-
dren living — Max and Louella, ages five and three respectively.
Cha/rlea Oatea was born in Germany in 1830; came to America
in 1852, stopping the first three years in Bochester, N. Y.; Sept.
17, 1855, he lauded in Marble Bock, and has since been a citizen of
the county. He made Marble Bock his home till 1860; when he
went there the town had just been laid out, and was all in timbered
brash. Mr. Gates helped to clear it, and lay the first foundation
to its histoiTj^ and prosperity. In 1866 Mr. Gates entered forty acres
in Union Township, which he farmed till 1860, when he sold, and
purchased eighty acres, where he still resides, about three miles
south of Marble Bock; in 1860 he moved upon this farm, and has
since made it his home. Mr. Gates has, in several different pur-
chaseis, added to his first, till now he owns 640 acres, besides eighty
acres he gave to his son Charles, who now resides in Greene. The
number of acres and the natural fine location and the splendid
state of cultivation and improvement which the farm is under*
make it one of the largest and best farms in the county. Mr. Gates
is one of the few pioneers of this county who has started at the bot-
tom round in the financial ladder, and by hk own exertions and
prudence earned for himself a property that makes him independent.
And, in addition to this, he has given by his life a lesson to young
men that is well worthy of imitation. He bears the highest respect
of all his acquaintances and neighbors, and has raised a family that
is a credit to any father. Mr. Gates was married in Bochester, K.
Y., in 1855, to Miss JuliaKasy,a native of Ireland. The names
of their children are: Charles, a merchant in Greene; Henry is a
farmer in Union Township; George, a merchant in Greene; Albert
makes his home with his father, and is engaged in farming. Mr.
Gates is a member of the Presbyterian church, and politically is a
sound Bepnblican.
John Oates was born in Germany in 1827; came to America in
1850, spending the first four years in New York State. In 1854 he
became a citizen of Floyd County, locating at Nora Springs, where
he spent six months; thence to Marble Bock, where be worked at
the blacksmith's trade about five years. While residing in Marble
Bock he purchased eighty acres, where now he resides, about two
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1108 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
miles southeast of Marble Bock; has added to his first purchase till
he now owns 400 acres of Floyd County's best land, principally
under cultivation. He has put in crop usually about 370 acres.
Besides this farm he owns about 200 acres, in addition to 160 acres
he gave his son. Mr. Gates usually keeps from forty to fifty head
of cattle and twenty head of horses, and 200 head of sheep. Mr.
Gates was married in 1852 to Jane Uoy, a native of America. They
have three children — Fredric E., married Oora Bussel, and farms
in Union Township; Katie A. and Ella, both jingle and at home.
Politically Mr. Gates is a Republican; has held in Union Township
the office of Township Cashier, and is now the Justice of the Peace,
and has been for the past six years, besides other minor offices. He
is a member of the Protestant Evangelical church.
Martm Oates was born in Germany in 1828; came to Amer-
ica in 1851, locating first in New York State, where he remained
about three years, working as a farm baud. In 1855 he came to
Iowa, and located in Marble Rock, where he spent the first fi)ur
years. Those years were spent in working by the day for the
neighbors. In 1856 he entered forty acres of Government land at
$1.35 per acre. Not being satisfied with the land, he sold it at
an advance of $2.75 per acre. In 1859 he bought ninety acres
along Shell Rock River, in Union Township. To this farm he
added different purchases till he owned 250 acres. Upon this
farm he lived till the fall of 1881, when he moved to Marble Rock,
the spring previous having sold it entire to Mr. Benjamin Bow-
man for $6,000. The same summer he bought a farm of 130
acres in same township, near his old farm. He also owns eighty
acres on section 31, same township, and only one -half mile from
his 120-acre farm. The 120 acres is farmed by his son-in-law,
William Preston. The eighty Mr. Gates farms himself, with the
assistance of a hand. Mr. Gates does what is considered a mixed
farming, keeping about one dozen cows and about fifty hogs,
though he has kept as high as 200 hogs. In June, 1881, he pur-
chased an entirely new stock of hardware, and opened a fine hard-
ware store in Marble Rock. It has been our pleas are to visit the
store, and must say it presents a very good appearance, embracing
every seeming want of the farmer, from nails and tools to any
farming implement they might desire. Mr. Gates was married
in New York State in 1854, to Miss Catharine Oasy, a native of
Ireland. They have three children — Andrew, married, and in the
hardware business with his father; John, also in the hardware
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1 1Q9
business; Eliza, the only daughter, married William Preston, Of
Mr. Gates we cannot refrain from speaking in the following
language: He is a man who has started from the lowest financial
round in the ladder, and has, by his own exertions, wrung from
the hard hand of toil a home and business and independence
well worthy the pride of any man, and has by so doing given an
example quite worthy of imitation, besides rearing a family of
children who promise to make the best of citizens. He has the
good words and best wishes of all who know^him, and those who
know him best are loudest in their praises.
Diebold Oerhard was born in Germany in 1826. He was a son
of John and Lizzie (Kohl man) Gerhard. At about the age of
twenty-seven he came to America, stopping in Wheeling, W.
.Ya., and remaining about five months ; ft*om thence to Illinois,
where he made his home about eleven years. In 1866 he came
to Iowa, locating in Floyd County. The first three years he
rented land of John Gates. At the expiration of this time he
bought the farm of eighty acres, where he still resides, on section
26, Union Township, paying $10 per acre. Has since bought forty
additional acres joining his original eighty acres ; for this he paid
$25 per acre. Upon this farm he built himself a fine house in the
year 1870, and a nice barn in 187Y. His farm is all under good
improvement and first class cultivation. They have indeed a
beautiful home. The buildings and surroundings are such that he
has one of the grandest homes in the Northwest. He does his
farming principally himself, and usually has it all in crop, besides
keeping about twenty-three head of cattle and about forty head of
hogs, and horses enough to carry on his farming. Mr. Gerhard
was married in Illinois, in 1860, to Frederica Hoffman, born in
Germany in 1830, and came to this country in 1860. She was a
daughter of Paul and Lena Hoffman. Her father died in Germany
in 1859. Her mother came with her to America. Mr. Gerhard's
family consists of three sons and two daughters — Chrisena, mar--
ried John Maxson and resides in Union Township ; WiUiam is a
clerk in Greene; Julia, George and Nicholas are single, and
reside at home. Mr. Gerhard is a member of the Lutheran church,
and Mrs. Gerhard of the Methodist church. Politically he is a
Democrat.
John Ooodmiller was born in Illinois in 1844. Here he made
his home till he was about twenty-eight years of age. He was a
son of Michael and Doratha (Keck) Goodmiller, both natives of
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1110 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Germany. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fifth Dlinois
Volunteer Infantry, the Old Lead Mine Eegiment; served his
country three years, participating in many hard battles ; a few of
the more prominent ones we give : Vicksburg, Jackson, the
Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his march to the sea ; was
wounded in left forearm with a gunshot at the battle'of Vicksburg,
siege of forty-eight, and was off duty with the same about three
months. After hid return from the army he resumed his avocation
as a fiu-mer, where his prominence as a good and worthy citizen was
appreciated by his fellow-men, by electing him to the offices of
Justice of the Peace, Collector and Township Clerk. In 1873 he
became a citizen of Flovd C^junty. The first five years he rented
land. In 1878 he purchased the farm of 100 acres, where he still
resides, about one mile south east of Marble Roek, beautifully
situated and located, and under a fine state of cultivation. Mr.
Qoodmiller was married in 1868 to Miss E. M. Pulley, a native of
Ohio. They have six children — Wellington Q., Arthur M.,
Homer, Preston, Elmer and Lorey. Politically he is a Republican.
Byron P. Oreenwood was born in De Kalb County, 111., Sept.
26, 1855, where he made his home on the farm with his father,
Charles F. Greenwood, till he was twenty-three years of age, when
he came to Marble Bock, this county, where his father purchased a
stock of dry goods in company with J. W. Darland. Under the
firm name of Darland & Greenwood they continued in business
about six months, when Mr. C. F. Greenwood purchased his
partner's interest. B. P. Greenwood has since been conducting
the business alone under the name of C. F. Greenwood. He has a
flue, clean stock, and an assortment that should please the most fas-
tidious, and is doing a business of $8,000 yearly. His live and let
live principles, together with his prompt dealing, have won for
him a reputation worthy the pride of any young man. Mr. Green-
wood was married in Marble Rock, Jan. 14, 1880, to Miss Minnie
•Winchill, a native of Iowa. Politically we find Mr. Greenwood
Republican.
Isaac HaUtead was born in Indiana in 1833. When only a
child his parents moved to Michigan, where he lived till he was
twenty-one years of age, when he married and moved to Lynn
County, la., and stopped about six months, when he came to Floyd
County. He moved upon a farm that he purchased in Union
Township, about one mile east of Marble Rock. Here they resided
till the year 1857, when their residence was destroyed by fire. In-
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ITNION TOWNSHIP. 1111
stead of rebailding on the farm, they bailt a iine residence in the
present village of Marble Bock. Here Mr. Halstead resided and car-
ried on his farm till his death, which occurred in 1877. He was mar-
ried in Michigan, in 1854, to Miss Eliza J. Denewd, a native of
Indiana, but a resident of Michigan. They raised one child —
Florence Idel, married to Julius Hajnes, a merchant in Marble
Rock.
E, B, Haynes^ M. 2)., was born in Guilford, Windham County,
Vt, Aug. 9, 1827, where he made his home till he was about twenty-
fuur years of age, when he went to Massachusetts and spent about
four years in the pursuit of an education principally. At this date
he went to Wisconsin, where he remained about ten years, dividing
his time between farming and the practice of medicine. He he-
came a citizen of Floyd County, April 3, 1866. He located in
Marble Rock, Union Township, and at once commenced the prac-
tice of medicine, which avocation we find him very successfully
engaged in still. Dr. Haynes commenced the study of medicine
under the instructions of an eminent physician in Chester, Vt,,
named Dr. Chase, with whom he remained three years, studying and
practicing medicine. He attended medical lectures at Comstock,
and commenced the practice of medicine in New Chester, Wis.,
in 1856. The Doctor practices under the eclectic system, having
previously acquainted himself with the allopathy and homeopathy
systems. Of Dr. Haynes as a physician and gentleman we can but^
speak as his neighbors, that he is always found equal to the emer-
gency, and, by his faithful care has won a position in the
hearts of his neighbors and friends that will scarcely be eradicated
by time. Dr. Haynes was married in Bemardstou, Mass., Nov. 7.
1848, the day Zack Taylor was elected President of the United
States, to Miss Julia J. Hunt, a native of Vermont, born March
7, 1832. They have a family of three sons — Julius E., now
thirty-two years of age, married and in the dry-goods business
in Marble Rock; Jewett S., now twenty-three years of age, mar-
ried and in business with his brother, and Justine H., a bright-
eyed boy of thirteen years of age, who makes things lively at
home. Dr. Haynes is a member of the order of Freemasons.
Jacol Rofmcm was bom in Owen County, Ind., March 8. 1838.
He was a son of Wm. and Katie (Houwk) Hoffman. When Mr.
Hoffman was fourteen years of age he came to Iowa, locating in
Buffalo County, where he made his home twenty years. He was
among the very first to settle that county. In the fall of 1882 he
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1112 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
became a citizen of Floyd County, and bought at that time 160
acres, where he still resides. At this date it was raw prairie, He
has since brought it under a line state of cultivation and the best
of improvements. His house and surroundings are indeed pleas-
ant It can be said of Mr. Hoffman, that he has caused the
desert to blossom as the rose. He sold forty acres of this before
improving it, at considerable of an advance of the price paid.
Mr. Hoffman carries on quite a stroke of farming besides keepinu^
considerable stock; keeps about twenty head of cattle and seven
head of horses, and usually keeps from forty to sixty, has kept
as high as 160. Mr. Hoffman was married in 1864 to Olarinda
Kendell, immediately after his return from the army. He enlisted
in 1861, in Company D, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
CulonelsReed and Bellknap were the commanding officers; Cap-
tain Madison was his firet Captain. Mr. Hoffman was wounded
at the battle of Atlanta on the morning of the 22d of May,
receiving a gun-shot wound in the right groin, the ball passing
clear through, another lodging in his right leg just above the knee;
another lodged in the left arm above the elbow, while another
cut its depth across the top of his left shoulder. At this charge
he had fourteen bullet holes pass through his clothing in different
places. He had his musket shot out of his hands, three balls
passing through it at once cutting it off at each of the bands.
Through the effects of these wounds he lay in the hospital as a
patient for about one year, under the care of physicians. For five
months he lay with ice water dropping upon him to prevent mor-
tification. He participated before this in iourteen hard-tbiight
battles. Mr. Hoffman veteraned and returned to the army and
accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. He was
mustered out the fall after the close of the war. Mr. Hoff-
man's army life, consisting of three years and three months, was
one indeed long to be remembered. He certainly deserves the
highest respect and admiration of every patriotic man, woman and
child. He is a man of no boastful qualities, but takes his position
as a humble citizen. Mr. Hofl&nan has always been a Democrat,
though he votes for the best men for county officers.
Christopher JBqfmeister^ deceased, was born in Germany, May
6, 1810. On the 18th of June, 1847, he came to America, stop-
ping for a few days in Milwaukee, thence to Dodge Conrty, Wis.,
where he lived about seventeen years. In 1864 he moved to
Chickasaw County, la., where he remained till 1869, when he be-
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 11J3
came a citizen of Floyd County. His first purchase was in Ulster
Township, where he lived about eighteen months. In 1871 he
bought the farm where his son Henry now lives, on section 3,
Union Township. There was in this farm, at the original pur-
chase, 240 acres, but he sold an eighty about two years after his
purchase. He repaired the house and made what improvements
the farm possesses to-day, and made it his home till his death,
which occurred July 29, 1879, leaving a family of four children,
and one deceased — Fredric, who resides in Kansas, married and
has a family; Christian died in the army in 1864, at about the age of
twenty-five; he was single; Johannah married C. H. Stapher
and resides in Chickasaw County, la. ; Christopher W. is a resident
of Kansas; Henry, the fifth child, bought the old homestead^
and there resides; he was married in 1880 to Emma L. Ponto, a
native of Wisconsin. They have one child— Lydia, now fifteen
months of age. Mr. H. Hofmeister was bom in 1855, and Mrs.
Hofmeister in 1862. Both are members of the Methodist church.
Politically we find Mr. Hofmeister a Democrat. Mrs. Christopher
Hofmeister is still living, and resides in Kansas, at the advanced
age of seventy-one.
7. M. Hutche% was bom in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1840.
Until his father's death, which occurred in May, 1860, he was en-
gaged principally in the pursuit of an education. From this date
till about 1869 he remained on the farm, and engaged in the stock
business, in connection with farming. At the expiration of this
time he went to Livingston County, and engaged in the milling
business, in a mill in which he had purchased a third interest. In
the fall of 1873 he went to Iowa; stopped first in Cedar Falls, and
came to Marble Rock the following spring, where he purchased a
half interest in an elevator, with George Luce, and continued in
tlie grain business about five years. In 1879 a joint stock com-
pany was formed in the business between J. B. Shepardson,
George B. Vansun and I. M. Hutches, which firm is still in ex-
istence and doing a good business, handling in the neighborhood
of 200,000 bushels yearly. I. M. Hutches has the entire control
of the business in buying and selling. He was married in New
York, in 1861, to Miss Cynthea King. They have one child —
James L., now nineteen years of age. Mr. Hutches is a member
of the I. O. O. F.; has been a life-long Republican and a sound
Prohibitionist. Though not an aspirant lor office, he has been
elected Township Trustee and Alderman of the town.
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1114 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
H, C. Inman was born in Kane County, 111., in 1836. He
was a son of Lorain and Lucy (Carpenter) Inman. Mr. Lorain
Inman died at Marble Rock in 1878. Mrs. Inman is still living,
and makes her home ^ith her son, H. C. Inman. Mr. H. C. was
the oldest of the family of eight children; Joseph, the second son,
died in the army at Memphis, Tenn., in January, 1862, at the age
of twenty-two; Alonzo, the third son, resides in Union Township,
Ephraim, the fourth, resides also in Union Township, this
county; Marinda resides in 'Brainerd, Minn.; Dora married
Mr. S. H. Waist, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn. Two children
died in infancy. This family was one of Floyd County's first
settlers, coming to Marble Bock in 1858, where the most of them
have since resided. Since coming to Iowa Mr. H. C. Inman has
turned bis attention considerably to farming, though he has taught
several terms of school, and held the office of County Surveyor
five years. For about three and a half years he owned a half-
interest in the Osceola Grist-Mill, which time he was engaged to
some extent in running the mill. The confinement and heat was
quite detrimental to his health, which was the principal cause ot
his selling the property and moving upon the fSeurm., Though in
impaired health somewhat, we find him very pleasantly situated on
a fkrm of 160 acres, within about one and one-half miles of Marble
Rock. Mr. Inman was married in 1867 to Miss Sarah £. McCallom,
of Amesville, Ohio. They have no family. He is a member of
the order of Freemasons and Odd Fellows, and was for many
years a member of the Good Templars. Politically Mr. Inman is
a Bepublican, and though not an aspirant for office, always has
taken an active interest in the political issues of the day; is the
present Assessor of the township, and has held that position three
fourths of the time since coming to Iowa. Mr. Inman has been a
member of the Free Baptist church the past twenty-eight years.
Has held the office of Secretary of the School Board for about
fourteen years.
E, /nr/ian. was born Sept. 1, 1846, in Kane County, 111. He
was the fourth son of Lorain and Lucy (Carpenter) Inman came
to Floyd County, Iowa, with his parents in 1858, locating near
Marble Rock, Union Township, where he has since resided; iR
now residing upon the old homestead. Mr. Inman was married in
1867, in Charles City, to Miss Harriet Clay. They have five
children — ^Lewis J., Harry E., Harvey E., Nellie L. and Lucy.
Mr. Inman is a memher of no secret society. Politically he is a
Republican.
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1115
A. Inman was born in Kane County, 111., June 24, 1842. He
was the third son of Lorain and Lucy (Carpenter) Inman, who
came to this county in 1858, where most of the family still reside.
Mr. A. Inman was married in October, 1869, in Charles City, by
Elder Cashier to Miss C. E. Waist, a native of Vermont. They
have two children — ^Lorain W. and Martha Esther, ages twelve
and six respectively. Mr. Inman bought his farm of eighty acres,
where he resides, about two mDes southwest of Marble Bock, in
1870, He has recently made a purchase of eighty acres, adjoining
his original farm. This is one of Floyd County's good farms.
The natural fine drainage and good quality of the soil cannot be
excelled anywhere. Though not an aspirant for office himself, he has
always taken an active interest in politics, and voted the Bepubli-
can ticket. In the day of Good Templars he was an active mem-
ber. M Inman is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church
and has been for the past twenty years.
Judge W. IT. Johnson^ deceased, was born in Deersville, O.,
Feb. 29, 1824. He received a collegiate education, and read law in
that State. When about twenty-eight years of age he went to Mich •
igan and engaged in the practice of law a short time. About the year
1854 he went to Boylan's Grove, Butler County, la., and remained
a short time, when he came to Floyd County, locating in Marble
Rock, where he remained in the practice of law till his death,
which occurred June 14, 1879, ^his disease being consumption.
Judge Johnson lived an energetic and useful life, and had the best
wishes of the community always at heart. As an attorney he was
always found to be manly strong, and honest, securing the utmost
confidence of his clients^and respect of his opponents. As a
notary public his papers of conveyance and transfers are invari-
ably reliable and correct. As a politician he was a straight-forward
Bepublican, and took an active interest in the live issues of the day
though never an aspirant for office himself. In the year 1862 he
was elected County Judge, which position he filled acceptably.
While a resident of Michigan, in the year 1854, he married his
first wife, Susan Sly, who died in January, 1863, leaving a family
of lour children, one of whom has since died. The names of the
surviving ones are Josephine, married John Ryan, a telegraph
operator at Eiverside, la.; Kelso W., single and at this writing
residing in Eockford ; Cleopatra, now the wife of Charles Smith,
a dry-goods clerk at Biverside. Judge Johnson married his
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1116 HISTORY OF FLOYD OOUNTY.
second wife, Mrs. Clarissa Miller, in Marble Bock in the year of
1867. To them was bom one daughter — Florence M. , now thirteen
years of age. Mrs. Clarissa Miller, Mr. Johnson's second wife was
married to Mr. Elias G. Miller in 1856. He enlisted in Company
G, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862. He
served his country as a faithful soldier, till he was taken away
through the hardships of army life, his death occurring at Benton,
Ark., Dec. 12, 1863, it being the day his youngest son was two
years of age. Ho left a family of three children — Lizzie, the eldest,
married Maurice Bunnell and resides at Osceola, Clarke County, la. ;
the second child, Minerva, married Elvin Tape, a jeweler of Rock-
ford; David E. is in the mining business in Colorado.
William, A. Judd was bom in Strafford, Orange County, Vt.,
July 9, 1817. Here he made his home with his father, Ira Judd,
till he was nineteen years of age, when he started out to face the
world alone. He went to Lowell, Mass., with the view of working
in the woolen factory, but found the town overrun with people
hunting work. He had only about twenty-five cents in his pocket,
but finally got a chance to work for his board, and sell picture
frames at night. At this he was engaged the most of the winter*
and cleared about $10 in all. The next spring he engaged
to work for a gardener seven months. The following winter he
went to school. In the spring he tried the tanner's trade, but
found it quite incompatible for his health, and returned home after
working at it about two months. He helped his father through
with his summer's work and started to seek his fortune in the
West, stopping in the State of Illinois. The first fourteen years
he was interested in farming, working rented land the first year
and after that his own. In the year 1852 he engaged in the mer-
cantile business in Brooklyn, Lee County, at which he continued
till 1856, when he boxed his goods and shipped them West; sold
his real estate and other property and came to Floyd County, la.
The first ten weeks after coming he boarded at the Beelar House.
He then bought a log building of Mr. Beelar and kept tavern and
store in it for about eighteen months, when he bought out John
Wallace, who was also in the dry-goods business. They exchanged
places of business, and Mr. Judd kept store here two years. In
1860 he rented another building and commenced lowering his
stock on account of his poor health and some discouraging features
in trade. This state of affairs having no change, he abandoned the
enterprise of merchandising, closed his store and boxed his goods,
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1117
and has since nearly exhausted them by selling and nsing them in
his family. Before coming to the State he bought 200 acres
sight unseen. This he kept several years and sold it, doubling his
money. He owns eighty acres of land in Union Township that
requires the most of his attention, in connection with some town
property. Though he has had his share of the pioneer's rebuffi,
he would still be an active business man were it not for the feeble
state of his health, which has been impaired for the last twenty
years or more. Politically he has always been a Bepublican, and
has always taken an active part in every enterprise demanding the
attention of good citizens. He was the first President elected in
the organization of the first temperance society called the Washing-
tonians. He, iu company with three others, formed the society of
Good Templars in Marble Bock; has held the office of Justice of
the Peace several years and was President of the School Board sev-
eral years. Dec 23, 1814, in Lee County, HI., he and Miss Eliza-
beth Melngin were united in marriage. She is a native of Tennes-
see, and is still living, at the age of fifty-four. They have three
children — Alice Adelaide is now the wife of W. E. Truax, and re-
sides at Fort Ripley; Eliza Adalette is the wife of Martin E. Bridg-
man, and resides in Cass County, D. T.; Mary T., single and resides
at home. Mr. Judd is a member of the Freemasons. While he
was a resident of Illinois he was County Commissioner, Town
Treasurer and Constable for many years, and Deputy SheriflF for a
term. In early days Mr. Judd attempted to rescue two young
men who had been capsized in the Shell Bock Eiver during high
water. The fast-rising stream and floating ice made it quite
hazardous. The people on shore tied ropes to an Indian canoe and
he attempted to reach the young men, who were perched upon a
tree maay rods oflF. They were already nearly perished with cold,
the day being (ftxite cold; overcoming many difficulties Mr. Judd
at last reached the spot, but just before he made his landing his
canoe was swept from him and he had to cling to a tree that had
lodged near by. Here the three awaited the assistance of those on
shore, who, of course, seemed to them to move slow. At last the
tree Mr. Judd wason became detached and moved off. He told
the young men he must leave them, but to have courage and all
would come out well. This was after dusk. Mr. Judd again had
a lodging place, one half mile down the river. At last with boats
all were rescued, amid considerable excitement.
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1118 HI8T0ET OF FLOYD COUIHT.
Oonrad Keistery deceased, was born in Germany in 1824. He
came to America when a small boy. After coming to the United
States he lived most of the timo in Lake Oonnty, Ind. In Sep-
tember, 1861, in Indiana, he married Mary Waltz, a native of
Germany, bom in 1840, and came to the United States when four
years old. Mr. Keister and wife came to this coanty in 1865 and
bought forty acres, where she still resides, about two and a quarter
miles east of Marble Bock. To this they have since purchased
forty, making a farm of eighty acres. Upon this farm Mr. Keister
resided till his death, which occurred in the fall of 1876. He was
threshing with a side gear machine when the gearing caught his
sleeve and front of his shirt, drawing him around against the side
of the machine, and finally caught his left arm and tore it from the
body at the shoulder. He lived about six hours. He left a family
of five children. The oldest is Andrew, who carries on the farm;
Mary, the second child, married James Clark, and resides in the
Northwest; Anna and Julia reside at home; Nelly died at the
age of three years, in 1873. Since the death of Mr. Keister the
family have all been kept together and prosperous by the frugality
and industry of Mrs. Keister. Since then Mrs. Keister and her son
have built a good house and have carried on the farm. To Mrs.
Keister's credit we are pleased to say she has helped all through
the harvest, and pitched every sheaf for stack! Uij, besides binding
quit« an amount. In 1878 Mrs. Keister married John Wulf, who
died in October, 1880, leaving one child, Ida Wulf, now three years
of afire.
Charles E, Lamb was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., July 15,
1843. At the age of seven he left the State in company with
his father, Smith Lamb, and went to Madison County, Wis., where
they remained two years. From here Mr. Lamb moved, with his
family to Bureau County, III. Here they remainf d as a family till
1861, when they moved to Lee County, where Charles E. Lamb
made his home principally till 1880, when he came to Marble
Rock, this county, and purchased a stock of livery from Philip
Shnltz, in which business we find him still engaged and doing
well. We say it, not to the discredit of any others, but the truth
is he has the finest lot of horses we have seen in the county, and
carriages and buggies equal in quality to any first-class livery
stock. He is a genial, whole-souled man, and with his live and
let live principles has won for himself many friends, not only in
Marble Bock, but with the traveling public. Mr. Lamb was mar-
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1119
ried in 1870 to Miss Jane E. Shultz, a native of Pennsylvania.
They Lave one child — Everett, now eleven years of age. Politically
he is a Bepablican, and is a member of the Masonic order.
W. D. Zanib was born in Jeflferson County, N. Y., in 1846;
when very small moved with his father, Smith D. Lamb, to Wis-
consin, where the family remained four years, and then moved to
Illinois. Here W. D. Lamb made his home till 1868, when he
came to Marble Rock, Union Township, Floyd County, la. The
first two years after coming he teamed for J. B. Shepardson, who
was then in the dry-goods business. The five years following he
ran a lumber yard for him. The following four years he was in
company with him in the stock bjisiness, and spent one year in
buying and selling horses and collecting notes and accounts. In
August, 1881, Mr. Lamb became the proprietor of the Beelar
House, which position we find him filling with a competency that
reflects great ciedit. It is truly the traveler's home, and the tired
and hungry man's favorite resort. In a word, he is a model land-
lord, and is adding every day to his already large trade. Mr.
Lamb was married in 1879, to Miss Ella S. Wallace, a native of
Wisconsin. They have one child — William E., a bright boy, eleven
years of age. May 2, 1863, Mr. Lamb enlisted in the Seventh
Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served his country over two years,
being mustered out at Springfield, III., Dec 5, 1866; was under
the command of Major-General Hatch.
Dennis Manchester was born in New York State, Nov. 10, 1826.
Here he made his home till 1865, when he came to Iowa, landing
at Marble Rock the day following the assassination of President
Lincoln. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and
worked at his trade most of the time, though he farmed a couple of
years and worked in a wagon shop two years. Many good evi-
dences of his workmanship can be found in Union and Scott town-
ships, while Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties bear evidence of
him as a carpenter. Mr. Manchester was married in New York in
1857, on Christmas eve, to Eliza M. Schemerhorn. Their family
consists of three living children — Theron G., Essie M. and Dorr.
J. W. Martin was born in Bennington County, Vti.,n 1841. He
was the sixth child of William W. and Mary Martin, both natives
of Vermont. Mr. Martin made Vermont his home till he was
twenty years of age, when in 1861 he went to Strawberry Point,
Clayton County, la. Here he remained only about one year,
when he went, in company with some others, by land, to Virginia
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1120 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Oity, Nev., where lie spent three years, most of the time engaged
in silver mining. It being the year following the discovery of the
mines, of course a hard class of citizens gathered before law and
order came on the ground. Upon his retara he took the steamer
at San Francisco, and returned via Nicaragua route,landiQg at New
York. The following winter he spent with friends in Vermont,
and in the spring returned to Clayton County, where he spent
another year; at the expiration of this time he went to Nora
Springs, and remained about eight months. In the spring of 1870
he moved to Marble Rock, where he has since resided. Upon
coming to Marble Bock he engaged in the drag business, and con-
tinued it till 1879, when he traded his stock for a farm in Union
Township. Has for several years been a partner in a company
engaged in the grain business in Marble Rock. Mr. Martin,
when a young man, took up the Republican principles inculcated
by his father, and has been a life-long supporter of that ticket, and,
though not an aspirant for office, always takes an active interest
in the live issues of the day. Mr. Martin was the first Mayor of
Marble Rook, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for
several years. Mr. Martin was married in January, 1870, in
Dubuque, to Miss Gertrude Oragin, a native of Vermont. They
have one child — Minnie, now eight years of age.
W. K, Martin was born in Quebec, Lower Canada, in 1824;
came to the United States when three years of age, locating in
Chester County, Pa., where his father purchased a farm. Here he
resided till 1844, when he enlisted in the United States army;
was first sent out to build Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, la.,
(then Iowa Territory), After this event his company went to
Corpus Christi, Texas; then went clear through the Mexican cam-
paign, when he received three flesh wounds. After his discharge,
Aug. 25, 1849, at Fort Brown, Texas, he went to Allamakee
County, la. There he bought a small farm, and engaged in farm-
ing till he came to Floyd County, which was in 1876. In 1874
he purchased a farm of eighty acres which he gave to his son, C.
B. Martin, a teacher in Sioux Falls, D. T. In 1876 he bought 320
acres, where he still resides, on section 33, Union Township. He
farms about 225 acres in grain; the balance is in meadow and
pasture. Mr. Martin was married in Allamakee County, la., in
1860, to Miss Temperance Bowman, a native of Indiana. This was
the first marriage ever consummated in Allamakee County. Mr.
Martin's family consists of seven children livinsf and two deceased
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1121
— Catharine, married Madison Blue, and resides in Leon County,
la.; C. B. Martin, a teacher in Sioux Falls; Mary J., married
James E. Miller, a resident of Union Township; Emma, married
Henry Gates, of Union Tosvnship, and died in 1881; Cassie A.,
single, and at home; W. H., single, and in the livery business in
Sioux Falls; T. B. and J. F., single, and at home; Carolina, died
at the age of ten, in Union To.vnship. Mr. Martin and his wife
have been members of the United Brethren church for the past
twenty-five years. Mr. Martin certainly has had an eventful
career, passing through what but few ever live to see. Has been
a pioneer all his life. Politically, he is a Republican. He wanted
to enlist in the late Rebellion, but was rejected on account of his
wounds. H id a commission from Adjutant-General Baker, and
raised and organized and sent to the field three companies, drill-
ing them three months.
Oeorge Maacson was born in Harrison County, W. Va., near
Clarksburg, Nov. 20, 1811. He was a son of George and
Elizabeth Maxson. At about the age of twenty-two Mr. Maxson
left that State and moved to Ohio; spent about twenty-five years in
Allen County, that State, residing in the State about thirty years
altogether. In the year 1868 he became a citizen of Floyd
County, purchasing at the same time the farm of 160 acres, where
he still resides, on section 11, Union Township, two and one-half
miles northeast of Marble ^Rock; also 160 acres in section 14,
where his son John F. resides, and fifty-four acres in St. Charles
Township. This land he still owns except^ the fifty-four he sold,
and has sold to his sons 160 acres, leaving 160 acres of a home-
stead. Mr. Maxson was married in Allen County, Ohio, in 1842,
to Rachel Harbut, a native of Harrison County, W. Va. They
have a family of seven children living, four sons and three daugh-
ters— Martha, married S. K. Sheafer, and resides in Union Town-
ship; Sarah, John T., George Nelson, Charles H., Silas and Alice .
Mr. and Mrs. Maxson and the whole family, are members of the
regular Baptist church. This is a circumstance \ye have not met
before in the county, but it is certainly worthy of imitation of
other families, and reflects great credit upon the parents for the
good example taught the children. Politically Mr. Maxson and
his sons are all Republicans and substantial Prohibitionists, and
temperance men. Mr. Maxson taught school twenty-five terms in
Ohio, and one term in School District No. 2, Union Township, the
second winter after coming to this county.
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1132 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
John Mills was born in New Jersey, in 1826. At the age of
eeventeen he moved with his father, John Mills, Sr., to Pennsyl-
vania, where he made a stay of about seven years. From there he
came to Floyd County, Iowa, in 1851. He took a claim of 300
acres where he still resides, one mile and a half west of Marble
Kock. He owns 400 acres of Floyd County's best land. Has his
farm all under the best of improvements and cultivation; it is all
fenced and spaced into fields with board and wire fencing. About
the year 1864 he built himself a fine bam. In the year 1876 he
built the best house in the township, if not in the county; it is 30
X 36, two stories high, ten feet between floors, containing ten fine
large rooms. He has not neglected the inside of his house, as is
sometimes the case, but has it furnished entire with choice furni-
ture. His, surroundings are ornamented and beautified with shade
trees and ornamental shrubs, so that it presents one of the finest
scenes to the passer-by that can be met with in a month's travel.
When we take into consideration the beautiful location of the land,
the number of acres and quality of soil, and pleasant residence,
we fearlessly proclaim it one of the grandest properties in all the
Northwest. Mr. Mills crops yearly about 180 acres himself,
besides what he rents out. In addition to his extensive farming,
he deals qu'te extensively in hogs and sheep. Mr. Mills was mar-
ried in Butler County, Feb. 19, 1857, to Miss Eliza Phillips, a
native of Ohio, but a resident of Iowa. They have a family of
seven children living — Patience, married Samuel C. Kide, and
resides in Scott Township; Katie, U. S . Grant, Tilla E., Truman A.,
Asa and Mamie.
Moore cfe Paddleford. — The firm ot Moore & Paddleford was
organized Sept. 1, 1878. Mr. William Moore and J. F. Paddle-
ford purchased of Shepardson Brothers the yard and lumber, which
amounted to about 260,000 feet of lumber, and 300,000 shingles,
and 100,000 of lath. They have found the business rather pleas-
ant and tolerably lucrative. They sell about 600 car loads a year,
10,000 feet to the^r, besides about from 3,000 to 5,000 shingles,
and about 400,000 lath, doing a business of about $40,000 a year.
Mr. Paddleford, the junior partner of the firm, was born in Dodge
County, Wis., in 1855. In 1865 he came to Floyd County with
his father, Charles Paddleford, who was by avocation a farmer, and
made his home at Nora Springs four years, when he moved to his
farm in Union Township and remained till his death, which oc-
curred in 1874. From this event till the date of his partnership
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1123
with Mr. Mooro, J. F. P«ddleford was engan^ in carrying on the
farm and settling up his father's estate. On the 4th day of Jane,
1878, Mr. J. F. Paddleford met with an accident that is not only
a life-long sadness, bat a harrowing thoaght to him still, as his
mind reverts to it. He was placing a strap npon a fast-ranning
wheel, in a grain elevator, when his right hand was caaght by a
projecting set screw and wonnd ronnd the shaft backward, crash-
ing the bones of the hand and arm as it went. 'When rescaed his
right arm was severed from his body almost np to the elbow.
Similar accidents have almost aniversally discouraged yoang men
of his age, who have drifted, as it were, oat to sea. Bat he has
manfally made the best of all circumstances and schooledhimself
to write with his left hand, having already a good business educa-
tion, and we find him to-day among the first business men of Mar-
ble Bock.
W. JU. Moore was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Aug. 11,
1830. He was a son of Wm. and Catharine Moore. At the age
of twenty-five he went to Dodge County, Wis., where he engaged
in the milling business, and remained about twelve years, running
a saw and grist mill about ten years of the time. In the year 1867
he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in Nora Springs )
where, in company with Charles Paddleford, he bought the town
site of Nora Springs, and erected the grist mill which is still extant
and in good order. Tlie year following they built a double store,
and rented it to parties who engaged in the mercantile business.
Prior to the erection of these buildings the town contained only
three or four residences, but after this event the town began to grow
rapidly, and soon became a lively village, the railroad soon pass-
ing through the place. In this project Messrs. Moore <& Paddle-
ford were deeply interested, being among the chief donators to the
county. In 1869 they sold the mill, and Mr. Moore moved to
Marble Bock, where we find him a citizen at this writing. The
first four years in Marble Bock were spent by him in the mercan-
tile business. The three years following were spent at Moose Lake,
Minn., in the manufacture of shingles. At the expiration of this
time he returned to Marble Bock and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness, in company with Fredric Paddleford, a son of the Mr. Pad-
dleford with whom he was in partnership in Nora Springs. An
account of their business will be found in this work. In connec-
tion with the lumber business, Mr. Moore formerly owned 1,000
acres in Floyd County, but has sold the most of it, reserving about
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1124 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
160 acres adjoining the town of Marble Ro^. He owns a beanti-
fnl town property. He has for the past four or five years been
interested in the elevator company. Mr. Moore is a man of large
business experience, and his business career has had a decided effect
upon the town of Marble Bock, as well as the county. He has
been one of the drive wheels of the business community. He was
always ready to invest his money wherever it promised a good in-
vestment for the advancement of the town and community. In a word>
we may say Mr. Moore deserves the credit of being the prime
mover in the best interests of the pleasant village of Marble Bock,
and as he bids the town good-bye, and takes up his abode in California
his loss will be deeply felt by his fellow townsmen, and his labors
be fully appreciated by those who remain behind. Mr. Moore was
married in New York State, in 1851, to Christine Harroun, a na-
tive of New York State. She died in 1851, leaving no family.
He married his second wife, Cynthia Sweet, in 1857. They have
only one child — Charles, now twenty years of age. He has been a
life-long Republican and is a sound Prohibitionist.
A. Moore was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1836. About
the year 1838 his parents moved to Du Page County, 111., where
they remained till their death. At about the age of twelve Mr.
Moore commenced to do for himself, his parents both being dead.
When about nineteen years of age he wdut to Nebraska in company
with Balph Mathews, where they took up a claim, which they soon
after released and returned to Iowa, locating in Bockford in 1856.
In 1857 he clerked in a store for a Mr. Mathews of that place, and
worked some on his farm. In 1858 he purchased eighty acres in
Bockford Township, which he afterward farmed for about four
years, when he came to Marble Bock and engaged in the mercan-
tile business, which he followed two years, when he took J. B.
Shepardson in as a partner. The style of the firm remained
Moore & Shepardson for two years, when Mr. Moore bought his
partner's interest, and has since been conducting the business
alone. Besides the store business he owns four cultivated farms,
consisting in all of 320 acres, which he superintends, though
worked by renters. He has recently sold eighty acres, breaking a
nice block of 400 acres. For twelve years he was Postmaster, and
has held several township offices, though he has never aspired to
office, having always a good business of his own to look after. He
is a member of the Odd Fellows and Freemasons. He was married
in Delaware County, Iowa, to Miss Margret Baldan, a native of
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 112S
Indiana. They have had eight children, seven living — Jennie E. ,
Balph Mathews (deceased), Hattie E., Oscar E., Frank B., Fred
I. and Henry Arthnr. Mr. Moore has one of the grandest homes
in the State. They have not neglected the inside of the house
through extravagant outside improvements, but Mrs. Moore,
with her natural ability as an artist, has adorned the walls and
beautified their home.
Henry Ned was born in 1821, in Greene County, Pa., on the
Monongahela River. Here he lived till he was about thirteen years
of age, when he moved with his father, Thomas Neel, to Knox
County, Ohio, in 1834. Here lie remained till 1819, when he
moved to Lee County, 111., and remained there till the spring of
1882, when he became a citizen of Floyd County, moving upon
the farm lie purchased of Mr. Bucklin, the old Baltimore farm,
March 13. Mr. Neel was married in 1845 to Margaret Austin, a
native of England, but a resident of Illinois, where her father still
resides, at the advanced age of eighty-three. Mr. NeePs family
consists of eight living children, two died when nearly man and
woman grown — Mary Jane, now the wife of Phil. Shultz, and a
resident of Union Township; Martha Ellen, married William
Daers, and lives in Saline County, Neb.; Sarah Ann, married
Frank Bemar, and resides in Adams County, this State; Matilda
Nora, married Robert Barr, and resides also in Saline County,
Neb.; Adel, married James Barr, a resident of Union Township;
John Henry, Margaret Elizabeth and Louella are single and reside
at home. Mr. Neel has recently been introduced as a citizen of our
county, but we welcome him heartily, and feel already an acquaint-
ance through his representatives, his children, married and scattered
through the West and in this county. Mr. Neel has been a pioneer
all his life. In Ohio log huts greeted him, and many were extant
at his departure. In Illinois the broad wild prairie with wide-
stretched arms offered him a home. And now in this county,
while in its infancy as it were, we find him joined hands and
interests with those who in future years shall be known and read of
as the strong-handed men of early days.
Mathiae Nixt was born in Germany in 1831. He was a son of
Paul and Susan Nixt, both bom in Germany. At about the age of
twenty-seven Mathias Nixt came to America, locating in Dubuque,
la., where he spent about seven years; a part of the time he was
in Clayton County. In 1866 he became a citizen of Floyd County.
The first two years he rented land in Pleasant Grove Township.
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1126 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
In 1864 he and his brother John bought 160 acres on section 1,
Union Townphip. Upon this he moved in 1867, dividinj? it at
abont the same date. He bnilt a good honse and bam, and has
changed the farm from raw prairie to a well-cnltivated place. To
this first purchase he has added different pnrchases, making in all
240 acres of Floyd Connty's best land. He has by his own exer-
tions made his own property. He has wrung from the hard hand
of toil an independence that places him among Floyd Clounty's
well-to-do and sound farmers. He was married in 1831 to Margaret
Spelie, a native of Germany. They have five children — Anna,
John, George, Katie and Maggie, all of whom are at home, except
Maggie, who lives with his brother John. Mr. Nixt lost his wife
in 1871, and married Terrace Adolph in 1875. They have a family
of five children — Lena, Joseph, Simon, Nicholas and Mathias.
James O^Hai/r was born in Dumfries, Scotland, Feb. 11,1886.
When a mere child he moved with his father, John O'Hair to Glas-
gow, where the family remained till 1849, when they came to
America, spending the first four months in New York City. From
there they went to Utica, N. Y., where John O'Hair went into the
dry-goods business, and James O'Hair clerked for him about two
years. In the fall of 1851 they moved to Michigan, and bought a
farm, where they lived abont two years. At the expiration of this
time the family again moved, this time to Illinois, near Kockford,
where they bought a farm, and made that their home only about
two years, when James O'Hair and his father came to Iowa, and
bought the Eaton farm in St. Charles Township, this county, now
owned by A. W. Cook. Here the family made their home till
1861, when they moved to Charles City. Here James O'Hair
commenced to do for himself by engaging in the mercantile busi-
ness, which avocation he pursued about five years, when he sold
out and engaged in the saloon business, at which he continued
about two years in Charles City, where his family still reside. In
1871 Mr. O'Hair opened a saloon in Marble Rock, where he is still
in business. Mr. O'Hair was married in June, 1857, to Miss Eliza-
beth Hill, of Rockford, 111. They have a family of seven children
living — Belle, a school-teacher; James, Jr., also a school-teacher;
Mary Etta; Charles, a barber in Charles City; Anna, Lizzie and
George. The younger children and Mary Etta are attending
school. Mr. O'Hair believes firmly in education, and has fur-
nished his family with the same, so that they are abundantly able
to take care of themselves as soon as grown up. Politically Mr.
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1127
O'Hair is a Democrat, and takes a live interest in the polities
of the day. His influence is strong, but not prevailing in a
country so thickly settled with members of the opposite party.
A. Palmateer was born in Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., Dec.
19, 1817. Here he made his home till he was about thirty-eight
years of age, principally engaged in farming. Those were early
days even in New York, and his school advantages were very
much limited, though those who are acquainted with Mr. Palma-
teer would never think but lie was well educated. But unlike
many men, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to inform
himself, and is to-day|in advance of many who started out with
fine opportunities. While in New York State he worked in a saw-
mill quite a good deal, which required considerable writing and
figuring. This gave him quite an opportunity in the way of a
business education. From New York State he moved to Buffalo
Township, Ogle County, 111., where he resided about seventeen
years. From there he came to Iowa and became a citizen of
Floyd County in 1871. On the 16th day of May, the same year,
he bought the'fine farm of 160 acres where he still resides, about
two miles northwest of the pleasant village of Greene, in Butler
County. Upon this farm he has since lifed, and has indeed a
pleasant home. Mr. Palmateer was married in Delaware County,
N. Y., Dec. 1, 1842, to Miss Henrietta McKeel. Their family
consists of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all still
living — Electa married O. C. Roberts and resides in Butler
County, near Greene ; Emeline married Jacob Potter, and resides
in Butler County, also near Gnsene ; Horace is married, and
resides in Kansas ; Salvenus, married and resides in Todd County,
Minn. ; Ransom is married, and resides in Butler County, east of
Greene ; Sarah is the wife of Leet Buts, who is farmingMr. Palma-
teer's place on shares ; Eva married Lewis Hart and resides in
Butler County, about a mile and a half southwest of Greene ;
Jesse and Mary, the two youngest children, are both single and at
home. Politically he is a sound-headed, and life long Jackson
Democrat. Is morally opposed to all secret societies. Of Mr.
Palmateer we wish to speak, as he is known to be a man of solid
worth and substantial principles ; has broad and clear views
upon all live issues of the day, and is not afraid to advance and
defend them. He was what might be called a pioneer all his life,
beginning in New York, through seventeen years in Illinois, and
the remainder in Iowa.
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1128 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD OOUNTT.
John B. Pooley^ an Englishman, was born in Davenport, Dev-
onshire, England, Jan. 23, 1854; his parents' names were John and
Mary (Blake) Pooley. His early life was that in common with all
English working lads, and when old enough, longings for a new
and free conntry, where a poor man has eqnal rights with a rich.
And so, in 1870, when in his seventeenth year, he came to the
United States, and staid for eight years in Bockford, HI. ; he moved
to Floyd County in 1878, to this present locality. He married a
daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fiddick, her son marrying his sister,
Bebecca Pooley, and all living on adjoining farms. A pleasant life
must be theirs. Mr. Pooley is a-member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church of Greene. He is cropping an average of corn, oats
and tame grass, and we see no reason why Mr. Pooley may not
regard his emigration in the light of a wise and profitable move-
ment upon his part
E. A, Bosenkram was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1846.
When about seven years of age he moved with his father, Abram
Bosenkrans, to Illinois, where E. A. made his home, spending the
most of his time as a dry-goods clerk. In the spring of 1869 he
became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in Marble Bock,where
he has since resided. In the fall of 1870 he formed a partnership
with J. W. Darland in the dry-goods business. They continued in
business eighteen months, when Mr. Bosenkrans sold his interest
in^he stock to his partner and bought a stock of goods from Will-
iam Moore, and was alone in the business about two years, when
he formed a co-partnership with his father, who had just come
from Illinois; this partnership still exists, under the firm name of
E. A. Bosenkrans & Co. They keep a general store, complete in
all departments. Mr. E. A« Bosenkrans was married July 12, 1870,
to Miss Frankie Bissell, a native of Ohio; came to lovra at an
early date. They have two children — Harry and Oracle. Politically
he is a Bepublican. Though not an aspirant for office, he has had
to serve as Town Becorder after the incorporation of the village of
Marble Bock, and is at present Street Commissioner. Is a member
of the order of Freemasons.
Ni Bosenkrans was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. When about
twelve years of age he moved from that State to Illinois with his
father, Abram Bosenkrans. Here N. Bosenkrans made his home
till 1869, when he came to Floyd County, la., locating in Marble
Bock. He purchased, in Union Township, 160 acres of land. Of
this ue sold eighty acres, and bought afterward forty acres, so
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1129
that he now owns a farm of 120 acres, which he farmed till the
year 1881, when he rented it and formed a partnership with Samuel
Rex in the batcher and meat-market business, in which avocation
we find them still engaged. Mr. Bosenkrans was married in
Floyd County in 1870 to Miss Emeline Oomstock, a native of New
York State. They have no family of their own, but have an adopted
daaghter, Hattie, who is now eighteen years of age and has made
her home with them for the past ten years.
S. Rex was born in Summit County, O., in 1834; made his
home with his father, Rudolph Bex, till he was twenty-one years
of age, when he came to Floyd County, la., in the fall of 1856.
He came into possession of 160 acres of land through the gift of his
father, who had purchased, in 1866, 1,200 acres in Union Township,
this county. This he exchanged for 115 acres near Marble Bock,
which he still owns and is farming. The first year after coming
to this county he worked for his father; the next twenty years he
was either a township or county officer, holding the positions of
Constable and Deputy Sheriff. During this time he managed his
farm and carried on quite a stroke of agriculture through kind
help. In 1858 he purchased a half interest in a steam saw-mill in
Marble Bock, and ran it two years, when he sold out, and turned
his attention principally to farming, till the railroad came through,
when he bought and shipped stock two years. Since then, and, in
fact, we may say since 1857, he has been engaged in farming, but
has coupled with it various branches of business. In November,
1881, he formed a partnership with N. Bosenkrans in a meat
market, in which business they are still successfully engaged. Mr.
Bex was married in Marble Bock, October, 1859, to Miss Mary J.
Ackley, a native of New York State. She is a daughter of Mr.
Ackley, who came to this county in an early day. Their family con-
sists of nine children, four sons and five daughters. Politically
Mr. Bex has been a Bepublican since his first vote, which was for
John C. Fremont, in favor of temperance and approved the
Amendment.
8. K. Shafer was born in Union County, O., in 1836. He was a
son of Lemmiel and Jane (Kearney) Shafer. At about the age of
sixteen he left the State of Ohio and went to Illinois, where he
remained five years engaged in farming part of the time, and a
while there was engaged in the manufacture of wagons and car-
riages, which trade he learned in that State. From Illinois he went
to Missouri where he purchased a farm and made his home thirteen
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1180 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
years. From thence came to Iowa, locating in Floyd County,
purchasing the farm of 160 acres where he still resides, in Union
Township, on section 23. Upon this farm he has made many im-
provements. He has turned it from a wild prairie to a pleasant
home and fine farm. Built himself a fine house and has beautified
his surroundings so that he has one of the finest homes in the North-
west. Mr. Shafer has not only b3en what might be called a life-
long pioneer, but has had his experience with the people of Mis-
souri at the breaking out of the war. For a time they did not dare
say their souls were their own, but finally the appearance of sol-
diers quieted matters to some extent, though fighting bushwhackers
was a matter of daily occurrence. He has also had his experience
on the plains with the red skins; was with one of Kit Oarson's
comrades for awhile. For about eight months Mr. Shafer was one
of the Missouri home guards, one of the most dangerous positions
a man was ever called upon to fill. He enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, in
Company D, Twenty-seventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry; served
his country about eight months, when he was taken sick and sent
to the hospital and soon afterward discharged on account of disa-
bility. Mr. Shafer was married Jan. 28, 1864, to Miss Clementine
Kendell, a native of Indiana. She died in 1876, leaving fonr
children — John I., A. J., Robert A. and Sarah C, all residing at
home. Mr. Shafer married his second wife in 1878. Her name
was Martha Maxon, a native of Ohio. They have two children
Helen R., and William H. Mr. Shafer has about all his life been
a member of the United Brethren church. His first wife was a
member of the same church. His present wife is a member of the
Baptist church. Mr. Shafer is a member of the order of Odd Fel-
lows. His first vote was for James Buchanan, but has since voted
the straight Bepublican ticket. He was a warm friend and earnest
supporter of the author of this work.
J. B. Shepardson was born in Chautauqua County, N. T., Dec.
4, 1830. When about fourteen years of age he moved with his
father, William Shepardson, to De KaJb County, HI., where he
resided till his death, which occurred July 24, 1882. J. B. Shep-
ardson called Illinois his home for about eighteen years, though
he spent three or four years in the lumber business in Wisconsin ;
while in Illinois he turned his attention principally to farming.
For the past twenty-four years he has been identified with the
interests of Floyd County, though he did not move into the county
till 1864. The two years previous he spent in Butler County, six
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1181
miles south of Marble Rock, where he moved in 1864, and is still
residing. The first ten years in this place were spent in no regular
line of business, though he to some extent engaged in several, and
employed most of his time at something. He kept store and hotel
and bought and sold lands, and might be considered a frontier spec-
ulator. In 1873 he opened the Marble Rock Bank, which he is
still running very successfully. He is also extensively interested
in the grain business. The firm of J. B. Shepardson & Co. have
been controlling the grain business of Marble Rock for the past
three years. They handle some years as high as $300,000 worth
of grain. In addition to Mr. Shepardson's businesses of various
cLaracters, he owns about 3,000 acres of improved land that requires
considerable attention. The land is situated in Cerro Gordo
Butler and Floyd counties. He also owns a grist-mill on Shell
Rock River. Mr. Shepardson was married in W^consin, July 22,
1860, to Miss Julia D. Bucklen, a native of New York State.
Their family consists of two children — ^Helen E. and William, ages
twelve and ten respectively. Mr. Shepardson has for the past
twenty-five years been a member of the order of Freemasons. Is
a sound Republican and a Prohibitionist. Though not an aspiring
politician, he has held many years different oflSces of trust; was
a member of the County Board of Supervisors for about eight
jears; Justice of the Peace about four years; Postmaster and
Snpervisor, represented the county in 1876-1877, and is the present
Mayor of the village of Marble Rock. It is with a great deal of
frankness that we speak of Mr. Shepardson as a philanthropist
and public benefactor. He is the friend of the poor man, and
always stands ready to help an honest man and one who is willing
to help himself. Mr. Shepardson has hosts of friends and but few
enemies. Those who might be termed his enemies are invariably
of that class who, in dealings with him, have either imposed upon
the rules of decency in business, or have maliciously attempted to
take advantage of the leniency extended to them, through the
good heartedness of Mr. Shepardson.
Isaac Shultz was born in Columbia County, Pa., Sept. 6, 1806.
He is the youngest son of Daniel and Elizabeth Shultz,both natives
of New Jersey. Mr. Isaac Shultz made Pennsylvania his home
for about fifty-two years, spending his time upon a farm. In that
State he married and reared his family. In the year 1868 he
moved with his family to Illinois, where they remained about
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1132 HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNIT.
twelve years. In 1870 he and his family came to Iowa, locating
in Floyd County, where we find them at this writing. In 1872
Mr. Shultz and Miss Mary Margaret Stackhouse were un tein
marriage. She died in 1876, in this county. Mr. Shultz's family
consisted of nine cliildren, only four of whom are still living —
Paxton, the oldest son, is now fitly-five years of age, has a family
of five children and resides near Rockford; James, the second son
died in the army in 1863, at the age of twenty-four years; Thomas
died in 1859, at the age of thirty years; George, now forty-one
years of age and resides about three miles southwest of Marble
Rock, is a farmer and has a family of tlireo children; Philip is
thirty -eight years of age, has a farm in Union Township, this
county, and has a family of four children; ElizHbcth, the oldest
daughter, died in 1857, at about the age of twenty-seven (she
was the wife of Hiram Shultz; left two children who are now
rt^siding in Pennsylvania); Jane died in Illinois in 1864, at
about the age of thirty-one (she was the wife of Jefferson Malugin;
left one child); Adaline died in this county in 1877, in the month
of October, at the age of forty-one (she was the wife of Jolin
Malugin and left a family of seven children); Mary Margaret is
now the wife of Daniel Miller, and resides in Illinois (she is
about thirty-six years of age. They have seven children.) Mr.
Isaac Shultz married his second wile (Nancy Davis), Aug. 30,
1877. Mr. Shultz resides np ►n his farm of 147 acres, two miles
South of Marble Rock, which he purchased in 1870. Mr. Shultz
19, a member of the United Brethren church, and is a Republican.
He sent three sons to the army — George, James and Phillip, who
enlisted at the opening of tlie war and fought like heroes and staid
tljeir time like p itriots. George had the ends of three fingers
cut off with a rifle-ball. Piiilip went before he was of age, being
only sixteen years of age. Mr. S!mlrz carried on his farm alone
and let.his hoys go andfiglit for the country.
Samuel Sours was born in Summit dmnty, O., Jan. 17, 1836,
where he made his home till he was nearly twenty-one years of age,
when he came to Iowa, it being in the last days of 1866. He
settled in Marble Rock, Union Township, this county, and turned
his attention to improving and working a farm of eighty acres they
owned across the creek. Mr. Sours tanght school the first winter '
he was in Iowa, it being the second school tanght in the township.
He turned his attention to farming principally till the year 1864,
when, in February, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Vol-
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1137
but adopted a girl in 1878. Her name is Minnie, now seven years
of age. Politicallj he is a Republican.
Henry Wadey was born in Sussex, England, near Brighton,
May 19, 1814, a son of Thomas and Ann Wadey. The first thirty-
eight years of his life was spent in that country. After he grew
up to raauhoDd he engaged in the carpenter business, till he came
to the United States, which was in the year 1862. He located first
in Belvidere, III., for two years. In 1854 he came to Floyd County,
and settled upon the farm where he still resides, on section 31,
northwest corner of the township. He built a log cabin upon this,
and turned it from a raw prairie to one of the good farms of Floyd
County. He formerly owned 160 acres, but has sold all but twenty-
eight acres, which he reserves as a homestead, and a pleasant home
it is. In 1862 he built a fine stone house, and has his surround-
ings beautified with nicely arranged trees, etc. Mr. Wadey was
married in Brighton, England, in 184:2, to Adda WoDlven, daughter
of William and Maria Woolven. Mrs. Woolven died in England
many years ago, and Mr. Woolven accompanied Mr. Wadey and
wife to this country, and died about three years afterward. Mr.
Wadey has no family. Of Mr. Wadey we are pleased to say he ia
not only first among the people of the county in point of settle-
ment but in point of citizenship. He has been a life-long
Republican.
Wm, Wagnor was born in Centre County, Pa., in 1835. He
was a son of Wm. and Julia Wagnor. He resided in Pennsylvania
till the spring of 1854, when he went to Illinois, where he resided
till the spring of 1856, at which date he came to Floyd County,
la., locating in Marble Rock, where he spent about six years working
at the carpenter's trade and running the steam saw-mill most of the
time. After leaving Marble Rock he rented land south of Marble
Rock. In the spring of 1862 he bought thirty acres which joined
eighty acres Mrs. Wagner received through the \vill of her
father. Upon this land they still reside, about three quarters of a
mile southwest of Marble Rock. To this first purchase Mr. Wag-
ner has added some land, making in all 113 J^ acres. He was married
in the fall of 1857 to Elizabeth Rex. They have six children —
Martin resides in Minnesota and Ralph is in Scott Township; Lilly;,
Ona, Lydia and Ida. Mr. Wagnor has always voted the Republican
ticket.
JoJm Wallace was bom in Ireland in 1818, though not of that
nationality by descent. A story related of his grandfather's career,
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1138 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
illustrating the circumstances by which his birth is marked in that
country, is well worthy of space here, and will at the same time
show the noble stock from which Mr. Wallace sprang : In 1770
his grandfather, William Wallace, was known as a prominent man
in Scotland, whose opinions were quite adverse to the English
Government. In company with many others he had to flee from
that country to the New England colonies of America. Here he
became an active spirit among the Pilgrims, and under the com-
mand of Gheneral Washington he held the office of Major. His
prominence in Scotland and his high position in this country made
him quite a conspicuous enemy to the English Government, and
he was branded as a r^el of the same, and his life was fiercely
sought by his enemies on that account. His property (which was
quite large) was confiscated, and his only son, John Wallace, was
hunted like a tiger in the jungles. But the son was carefully
secreted by a maiden aunt, who took him to Ireland, where he
grew up and married a Highland Scotch woman. Of this union
was born John Wallace, the .subject of this sketch, whose life can
be almost traced to Scotland instead of Ireland, from the fact that
when a mere infant his parents moved to that country. When
about twelve years of age, John Wallace, Jr., came to the United
States in company with some elder brothers, and spent the first
three years in Suffield, Hartford County, Conn., where he met
some of the grandest people, he says, that it has ever been his
pleasure to meet. At the expiration of this time he worked a year
in a carriage shop in Newark, N". J. Finding the work too heavy
lor his strength he went to New York City and clerked in a
general grocery store about one year. In 1840 he went to Roscoe,
Winnebago County, 111., and remained one year ; then worked at
his trade in Rockford and Beloit about two years, at the end of
which time he settled in Beloit, which place he made his home
about eleven years. During this time he was very prosperous, but
through the treachery of a friend lost about $2,000, it being about
$300 more than he was worth. In 1856 he came to Floyd County,
la., with about |$5, 000, which he had afterward accumulated. At
this date he purchased, in Union, 120 acres which he, two years
afterward, sold at an advance of over $1,000. In those days he
was one of the heaviest tax-payers of the county. But while he
had twice proved himself wonderfully eflScient as a money-maker,
he, with many others, has suffered considerable loss in land on
the deceptive fluctuations of immigration and prices, and the
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1139
uncertain tread of civilization. In Boone County, HL, Mr. Wal-
lace was married, Nov. 1, 1843, to Miss Electa A. Stevens, a
native of Pennsylvania, and sister of Mrs. Elisha Wilcox and
Charles Stevens, both of this county. Mrs. Wallace was the
mother of twelve children, nine of whom are living, five sons and
four daughters — Mary Edna, now the wife of C. D. Clark;
Electa A., married Hezekiah Garber ; Ella Sophia, wife of W. D.
Lamb, the present popular proprietor of the Beelar House ; Oren
W., John P. W., Eva E., Garrett S., Charles S. and Asaph M.
Of this large family, all are residents of Floyd County except
Eva E., who is attending school in Matherton, Mich. Mrs. Wal-
lace died Sept. 10, 1876 ; she was one of the best women God ever
gave tp the sons of men. Mr. Wallace married his second wife,
Catharine Darland, Oct. 14, 1877. Politically he is a Republican
of the Abolition stock. He was appointed Postmaster under the
administration of Pierce; was elected County Coroner in 1862,
and Justice of the Peace in 1872.
R. F. Wilke was born in Germany in 1849, and came to Amer-
ica with his parents in 1866. They located in Madison, Wis.,
where R. F. Wilke made his home till the year 1870, when he
went to Charles City, this county, and worked as a journeyman
at the harness trade for eight months. May 26, 1871 , he became
a citizen of Marble Rock, where he engaged in the harness business
on his own capital, continuing in the same about eleven years. In
1876 he added to his harness trade a boot and shoe business, plac-
ing each branch on opposite sides of the store. In this form he
carried on business till the spring of 1882, when he sold the harness
department to Mr. J. Wiloth, who is now occupying a part of the
store with him. The sales of this stock last year amounted to
about $10,000, and since Mr. Wilke has turned his attention to
boots and shoes alone he has even surpassed that amount of sales.
This year it will not run far from $12,000. His stock is clean and
complete. He carries about thirty-five different grades of men's
boots, ten of boys', and over eighty different styles of ladies' shoes,
besides an endless variety of youths' and children's boots and
shoes. Mr. Wilke was married in Marble Rock in 1874 to Miss
Minnie Grant, a native of Iowa. They have two children —
William G. and Clyde, ages four years and three months, respect-
ively. Mr. Wilke is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1871 he
commenced with a capital of $500, and to-day $10,000 will hardly
cover his stock and capital.
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1140 HI8T0BY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
James Welton was born in Oanada in the year 1846. Here he
made his home till 1869, when he became a citizen of Floyd
County, by locating in Charles City. While in Canada he turned
his attention to farming. Before coming to this county Mr. Welton
had struck rock bottom, having only $2 in his pocket. He spent
the first year in Charles City, working at what jobs might turn up.
The year following he rented a farm. In the month of Septem
her, 1871, he moved to Marble Kock, where he has since resided,
turning his attention to^rming some, but might be more properly
considered a horseman than a farmer. When any one wants a
good horse among his acquaintances he wants him to buy it; and
it a horse is for sale they go to him also. He has dealt in horses
more or less ever since coming to Marble Rock, and of late years
has been buying and shipping. Last spring he took a car-load to
Dakota. In 1873 he moved to a property of his own, west of
town^ ' We find him very pleasantly and comfortably situated; his
home is in a natural grove that affords cool breezes in the summer
and warmth in the winter. Mr. Welton was married in Canada,
Feb. 20, 1867, to Miss Samantha McDonell, a native of Canada.
They have one child — Anna Maud, now fourteen years of age.
C. E. Wood was born in Whitehall, Washington County, N.
y., Nov. 21, 1833. Here he made his home till he was twenty-
one years of age. In the meantime he leaned the harness maker
and trimmer's trade. In 1854 he went to De Kalb County, 111.,
where he engaged in farming, remaining nearly six years. At the
expiration of this time he became a citizen of this county, locating
in Union Township, where he has since resided. He farmed for
about eleven years, when he engaged as clerk with Mr. Allen
Moore, who then had the postoffice. Being with Mr. Moore in
all about a year, he became familiar with the postoffice business
and handling the mail, etc. The year 1873 he spent in the employ
of Mr. Wilke in the harness-making business. On the 20th of
July, 1874, he took charge of the Marble Rock postoffice as
deputy, and in this capacity remained about three years, when,
in January, 1878, he was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Wood has
been identified with this postoffice longer than any other man.
His ability as an accurate business man and his attentiveness to
his duties make him, as it were, an indispensable man to the
town and office. Mr Wood was married to his first wife, Martha
Baily, in Aurora, 111., in 1864. She died in Marble Rock in 1876,
leaving one child — Grant C, who is now about eighteen years o^
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UNION TOWNSHIP. 1141
age. Mr. Wood married his second wife, Mary Elliott, July 23,
1879, in Cedar Falls. He is a member of the order of Freemasons
and formerly took an active part as a member of the Sons of Tem-
perance in New York State, also in the Society of Qood Templars
in this State. Politically Mr. Wood is a Kepublican, and always
has taken an active part in politics, though never an aspirant for
oflSce; he has held the position of Township Collector three years,
and Township Clerk for the past eight years, which he occupies
still; is also Assessor of the village of Marble Rock.
Oeorge WorsHeldy bom in England in 1831, was a son of John
and Frances (Bonfield) Worsfield. When about twenty-one years
of age he came to America, spendifig the first two years in Buf-
falo, N. Y. , working at harness-making. The following six months
he sold goods on the road, in the western part of New York. At
this date he went to Belvidere 111., where he remained two months
when he joined his old friend, Henry Wadey, and came to Floyd
County, la. His first purchase was in 1861, being the farm where
he still resides, situated in the northwest corner of Union Town-
ship, on section 31. Here he built a small house which served as his
home till 1873, when he built himself a very fine house. His home
is pleasantly located, being about three and one-half miles from
Marble Kock, and five and one-half from Kockford, and within a
few rods of the railroad, where the daily passing trains relieve the
monotony of country life. Mr. Worsfield has been unable, on ac-
count of his health a few years past, to carry on his farm, and has
let it out on shares. He was married in 1869 to Miss Nancy
Baltimore, daughter of A. Baltimore, an interesting sketch of
whose life appears in this work. They have no family. Mrs.
Worsfield died in 1878. He taught the first school in Marble
Rock; made the first harness ever made in Floyd County, and took
the first in the county on single and double harness, being a
diploma, given by the Floyd County Agricultural Society, on each
award, at its second annual meeting, Sept. 19,20, 1860. He worked
at the harness trade in England prior to coming to this country.
He made a visit to England of about three months, four years ago.
Politically he is a Republican and Prohibitionist. Has held the
office of Township Trustee several terms, besides doing his part as
School Director and Road Supervisor.
Samuel Terrich^ deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in 1818. At
about the age of seventeen he went to Ohio, where he lived till about
1845, when he moved to Illinois, where they made their home about
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11 42 HISTORY OP FLOYD COUNTY.
eleven years, at the expiration of which time they came to Iowa,
locating in Union Township, this connty, it being the year 1856.
Purchased the year previous the farm of 160 acres, where his fam-
ily still resides, about two and one-half miles southeast of Marble
Rock, on the Nashua Road. In 1839 Mr. Yerrick and Miss La-
disa Feller, a native of Pennsylvania, being born there Aug. 11,
1819, were married. Mr. Yerrick died Sept. 17, 1861, leaving a
family of eight children — Oliver, married and is a farmer of Floyd
County; Amelia is the wife of William Bedell, who is one of Floyd
County's farmers; Mary, married William Oomstock, residents of
Kansas; Eliza, married Isaac Chamberlain, resident of Union
Township; Sophia married Hifam Bailey, and resides in Howard
County, la.; Adam, single and carries on the home farm; La vin a,
married Frederic Larcher and resides in Floyd County; Melva,
single and at home. Mrs. Yerrick is a member of the Method-
ist church.
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